Ferrari boss Arrivabene: Video games a 'competitor' to F1
Formula 1 faces competition from video games for the attention of racing fans and must be aware of that threat as well as improving competition, says Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene

F1 is plotting a major rules and structure overhaul from 2021, focused on bridging the gap financially and competitively between the three big teams - Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull - and the rest of the grid.
Arrivabene suggested it would be wrong for F1 to focus purely on its product and not consider how other factors, such as the rise in popularity of Esports, have influenced its popularity.
"Our competitors today, and this is my personal opinion, they are the PlayStations," said the Ferrari team principal.
"Most probably we need to switch our mind and focus attention on our competitors.
"Today we have a broad offer of entertainment and we need to look at everything, not only certain sports or trying to equalise everything.
"Is the PlayStation our competitor? In my opinion, yes.
"What do you have to do to beat the PlayStations? You have to do something that is more interesting, most probably.
"Today the offer is bigger than many years ago."

While Ferrari has backed the mooted budget cap in principle, and softened its quit-threat stance in the face of impending sweeping changes, it is still wary of how it will be implemented.
However, Arrivabene said lowering costs is valid but increasing interest in F1 goes beyond just a budget cap.
"We need to be honest with ourselves [and ask] 'How is the level of interest in F1 vs yesterday?'" he said.
"What we need to do is not the budget cap - it is one of the solutions but is not the [only] solution.
"We need to relaunch the sport [and] relaunching the sport, it is kind of a complicated and complex equation.
"If at a certain point the audience is becoming older, older, older and you work to maintain what you have and your attention is less focused on acquiring the younger generation, that means you have a problem.
"And you have to find a solution."
Many teams are hopeful changes like a budget cap and staffing limits, which should start to be phased in from 2021, will make things fairer across the grid.
However, Arrivabene suggested it would be unfair to completely manipulate the competitiveness of the teams and compared it to the disparity in size and wealth of football teams.
"How can you tell Real Madrid 'I'm sorry, if you play with the small team, don't play with your best team, play with your middle-sized team'," he asked.
"Come on, it's ridiculous. The sport is done by the big teams [as well].
"It's part of the fascination of the sport."

Previous article
Sebastian Vettel broke 'easy to follow' F1 red flag rule - Charlie Whiting
Next article
F1 drops glasses camera over safety concerns, has two alternatives

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Ferrari |
Author | Scott Mitchell |
Ferrari boss Arrivabene: Video games a 'competitor' to F1
Trending
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…