Ferrari's Camilleri: Netflix "great move" in boosting F1's profile

Ferrari chairman Louis Camilleri believes that Formula 1's Netflix series was a significant boost to the championship's image

Previous Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne clashed with F1 owners Liberty Media on occasion, having gone as far as threatening to withdraw Ferrari from the championship.

Ferrari was also notably absent from the first Netflix series, but it has since agreed to take part in the upcoming second season as it softened its stance.

Camilleri has now praised Liberty's approach, and its long-term plans, pointing to the recent Netflix series and its impact in offering fans new insight into F1.

"With the advent of Liberty, they are a US company, they want co-operation, and from that perspective, they have done a good job," said Camilleri.

"They've gone up a sharp learning curve. "They are getting there, and they've made some wise moves.

"One example is Netflix, A lot of people had zero interest in F1 but, as a result of 'Drive to Survive', they have been attracted to finding out about the sport. That's a great move.

"I'm not sure commercially they got much value out of it, but from an image and human interest point of view [it was important].

"Thirty years ago the human element was much more prominent in F1, but it's becoming less over the years."

Camilleri added that he hopes the recently agreed technical regulations for 2021 - as well as the confirmation of a budget cap - will allow the "human aspect" to return to the fore.

He added: "The younger generations want authenticity and a human connection."

Mercedes, like Ferrari, was absent from the first season, but it will now take part and ensure all 10 F1 teams feature in the second series.