Hill’s concerns highlight the delicate balance F1 must maintain between entertainment and preserving its racing heritage
Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, has voiced concerns over the sport’s increasing focus on entertainment, fearing it might compromise its authenticity. As someone who grew up immersed in the world of motorsport, with his father, Graham Hill, being a two-time world champion, Damon has witnessed the evolution of F1 firsthand. While he acknowledges the sport’s improvements, he remains wary of its trajectory.
Reflecting on the past, Hill admitted that racing wasn’t always exhilarating from a spectator’s perspective. “I used to sit in the grandstands, watch Jackie Stewart go past, and about a minute later, someone else would go past. And that would go on for two hours. And it wasn’t televised. But from an aesthetic point of view, it was fabulous,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
For Hill, the authenticity of the drivers and their risks on track set the sport apart. “Whatever you said about the drivers back then—maybe they were playboys, maybe they lived a debauched life away from the track—when they got in their cars, they risked their lives. So there was a degree of respect for that.” He fears that in today’s F1, the sport is becoming more of a show than a pure competition.
One of his concerns is the increasing theatricality in radio communications. “It’s crept into the radio communication a little bit. Things are said just for effect, because they know it’s going to be reported. Because it’s part of the show. Authenticity is so important.”
Despite his reservations, Hill acknowledges that F1 has reached an impressive standard. “I enjoy the sport more now than I have for a long time. The last few years have been great. The driving is of an incredible standard. It’s still got a magic to it.”
However, as F1 continues its expansion, particularly in the United States, Hill sees potential risks. While the sport’s popularity has surged under American ownership, he is mindful of the broader political climate. “Remember F1 is not a domestic formula,” he said. “It’s owned by an American company, but it’s not a domestic product. IndyCar is. And at a time when domestic things have a lot of support… you know, ‘Make American Racing Great Again.’ I can hear it.”
Hill’s concerns highlight the delicate balance F1 must maintain between entertainment and preserving its racing heritage. As the sport evolves, ensuring authenticity remains at its core will be key to its continued success.
