F1 must avoid going too far in quest to crack America

It looks like Formula 1 is finally fulfilling its goal of cracking America, but if the sport isn’t careful, it could come at a price.

Stefano Domenicali and co left the inaugural Miami Grand Prix feeling pretty good, to say the least.

“What we have lived over the weekend has been just amazing,” the F1 CEO told GPFans.

“If you think we signed the contract less than one year ago, and there was nothing, it’s impressive, so congrats, it’s great vibes. You can see what Formula 1 is today.

“We were just discussing that this event has been bigger than the Super Bowl in terms of numbers, in terms of the celebrities you saw on the grid.

“Everyone wanted to be there, and it was difficult to say yes or no. Everyone was saying ‘This is the place to be. Formula 1! Formula 1!’, so I think we should all be happy.”

Indeed, there were undoubtedly reasons to be cheerful for the Italian and his colleagues.

One of Liberty’s biggest goals when they took over from Bernie Ecclestone was to make a splash across the pond, and the first trip to the Sunshine State showed that they’ve certainly done that.

Not only were the crowds throughout the weekend huge, but they were passionate and enthusiastic too, more so than American F1 fans ever have been before.

However, while those in attendance may have been loving it, the same can’t be said for those watching from afar.

While the F1 higher-ups were patting themselves on the back in Miami, many fans outside of America were shaking their heads instead, for multiple reasons.

The most important one was the fact that the on-track action wasn’t particularly entertaining, with the race being something of a procession until the Safety Car came out in the closing stages.

Many off-track parts of the weekend