Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Horner: TV should not fear new F1 social media freedom

Red Bull boss Christian Horner hopes that Formula 1's television companies do not resist the opening up of video use on social media.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing RB13 Team Principal

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing RB13 Team Principal

XPB Images

Nico Rosberg
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB13 with the media
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, talks to the media
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing with fans
Fan of Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Ahead of the first pre-season test, F1's new owners Liberty Media gave the green light for teams and drivers to post short video footage on to the internet.

Previously, such freedom was not allowed because Bernie Ecclestone felt that it would devalue the exclusivity of broadcast deals that television companies were paying for.

With fans loving the explosion of video footage over the past week, Horner hopes that such freedoms for teams and drivers remain – and that television companies come to realise the wider benefits to be had from the sport being followed by more people.

"The television broadcaster would never get that access to what we're showing," Horner told Motorsport.com. "They need to ultimately complement each other, because we're not going to film anything on track – that's not within our remit.

"But by being able to personalise the drivers, give an insight into some of the bits behind the scenes, it will only encourage a growing following to turn on the television and watch the races. I really see it as a general benefit to the overall sport."

Good for fans

F1 management's decision to open up social media use was only a trial for the first test, and it is unclear if the freedom will remain in place for next week's final test or the F1 season itself.

Horner believed the move was a big winner for fans – and anything that could attract more to follow the sport had to be embraced.

"It's that behind the scenes stuff that the fans crave, and it's been great to get that content out there," he said.

"At the end of the day, it's an advertisement for Formula 1, because hopefully then, as the following grows, those followers will want to view the races and turn on their televisions. It's how they complement each other.

"We've certainly put out a lot of content. They've even put me on Instagram! It's been tremendously well received. It's been a great way of advertising the sport, and engaging with the fanbase.

"The way people watch content these days is very, very different. You've only got to go on a train and see how everybody is looking at their phone. By opening up this avenue to get great content out there, I think it's a real positive."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article F1 chief Brawn aims to “iron out” shark fin and T-wing designs
Next article Bottas: F1 2017 cars tougher to drive in windy conditions

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA