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After the controversial end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix former F1 driver Stefan Johansson says he would hate to see Formula 1 become a show where “sport is secondary to the entertainment”.
Former F1 driver Stefan Johansson, who has driven for Ferrari, McLaren, Tyrell and other teams, criticised the FIA’s decisions that handed the 2021 title to Max Verstappen, and says he doesn’t want Formula 1 to turn into pro wrestling.
“I think both Max and Lewis deserved to win the title this year,” Johansson wrote on his blog.
“They both drove at such a high level and both their teams operated at equally high levels, and it would have been such an incredible ending to the year to have it decided fair and square on the racetrack.
“Instead, we now have this endless controversy and polarization. I’m sure the folks at Liberty are not complaining as this has lifted F1 to a whole new level in terms of people following.
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“But, if this is the direction it will continue, where the entertainment comes before the sport, I think we’re getting into a very dangerous territory.
“I would hate to see F1 turning into the Motorsports version of the WWF [the old name of the pro wrestling company WWE], where it’s just a show and the sport is secondary to the entertainment.
“The Netflix show has obviously helped lift the profile of F1 immensely, especially in the US. I know how many of the teams and drivers feel about, but you still can’t deny the impact it’s had. Personally, I had to tune out after 15 minutes.
“I think it’s important to find a good balance going forward, I appreciate social media and marketing from every possible angle is important, but I would hate to see the drivers turning into some sort of comedians and clowns rather than brave young men doing their thing on Sunday afternoons,” Johansson concluded.
