McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh on F1 in America and the Sport’s Future

It’s rare to hear team bosses speak out candidly on a range of issues in regards to the need for change in F1, and in this series of ongoing interviews with McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, SPEED journalist Peter Windsor has recorded multi part videos in which he and Martin talk about topics from the state of Formula 1 to it’s arrival back to the United States in 2012.

As McLaren prepares to launch an automotive brand here in the US, their need for success in this important market is understandable. While not all teams will be leveraging F1 as a platform for their own brand in such a direct way, each faces similar challenges in creating and innovating value for their sponsors and partners who will be paying for the exposure F1 brings here and across the world.

In part 1 of this interview, Whitmarsh expresses his enthusiasm for the race in Austin, and touches on a need for change in the sport in order for it’s continued success in America:

Martin Whitmarsh – part 1

As the global championship is shifting from Europe to new markets, so is the way in which F1 is experienced around the world by its 600 million fans. In this segment, the evolution of the sport’s audience in a new age of technology opportunity highlights the need for FOM and teams to address a new approach to F1’s exposure.

Martin Whitmarsh – part 2

Fans and the ‘F1 show’ are discussed in the first half of this segment, and the need to keep pushing to make the sport more accessible for fans. Purists and new fans to the sport may disagree, but DRS, KERS and Pirelli’s tires have each played a part in adding to the show.

Martin Whitmarsh – part 3

Finally, Whitmarsh reflects on the 2011 season and talks about team changes – included here to round out the series.

Martin Whitmarsh – part 4

Thanks to Peter Windsor for the timely interview, looking forward to seeing how McLaren and the rest of the F1 field continues in 2012.