F1 must not lose its 'magic' for fans and sponsors, warns Marussia
Formula 1 must make sure it retains its 'magic' for fans and sponsors at grands prix, as well as television audiences, Marussia chief executive Graeme Lowdon has warned


There have been concerns that F1 will lose some of its audio impact under this year's switch to quieter turbocharged V6 engines.
Lowdon believes this could have a particular effect on sponsors at grands prix, a group he says F1 can ill-afford to disappoint.
"I think on television the spectacle is set to be absolutely amazing, really truly amazing and I hope that's the case as the TV audience is obviously very large and very important to everyone involved," he said.
"What I hope is that we don't lose the magic that happens in the garage when you take the lucky few people into that environment.
"Where that's really important is that we take decision makers of large international companies who are funding this sport into that environment and you can see on their face that they're visibly moved when a Formula 1 car fires up.
"For a lot of people experiencing that kind of environment for the first time, it's another world. They cannot believe it.
"It's almost like a violent energy inside these cars, they're so powerful.
"I think it's important to have that texture in Formula 1 because it helps demonstrate that Formula 1 is different. We have to make sure that we maintain that somehow."
Lowdon said Jerez testing proved F1 had lost some of its volume.
"It's certainly quieter because you could make a phone call during the test at Jerez," he said. "I've never done that before, so it's certainly different."
He added that the new cars' behaviour on track would make for exciting television viewing.

"The small amount of running I've seen out on the track already suggests that on the TV it's going to be quite spectacular," Lowdon said.
"But, as ever with regulation making, it's a balancing act between making something that's appealing for the TV audience - and by far the greatest number of fans watch Formula 1 on television - and for the promoters to have that unique atmosphere of a grand prix.
"We've said all along that has to be protected."

Top five technical innovations seen at Jerez
Williams sure customer Mercedes status won't hinder 2014 F1 season

Latest news
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix