Jacky Ickx speaks about modern Formula 1: "Growing audiences it’s all that matters"

The current era of Formula 1 remains a subject of intense debate. While television viewership figures in major European markets continue to climb, a vocal segment of the long-term fanbase remains steadfast in its criticism, frequently lamenting that the sport was superior in years past.

The primacy of the audience

For Ickx, the debate over whether the current regulations are "better" or "worse" than those of previous decades is fundamentally flawed. He argues that comparing distinct eras of the sport is a mistake, asserting that the only metric that truly dictates the health and success of Formula 1 is its audience.

Ickx emphasizes that the sport’s survival and relevance are inextricably linked to its ability to capture and maintain public attention. “It’s about whether people follow F1 and how much they follow it. The audience is the key to everything. If F1 keeps attention high and generates share, then it’s fine. Without the public, nothing can be done. If the public is there, then it’s fine.”

Spectacle over technical nostalgia

Addressing the criticism surrounding the nature of on-track overtakes, Ickx maintains that the technical nuances of the cars are secondary to the entertainment value provided to the fans. While he acknowledges that the sport has evolved significantly from his own era—where drivers managed far fewer parameters on the dashboard—he believes the average viewer is less concerned with the technical specifications under the hood.

“You have to follow people’s opinions, of course. But I believe that people don’t really care what’s under the hood. What matters are the battles on track — whether the fight is good, whether the challenge is intense. That’s what counts. We’ve never seen such high audience figures,” Ickx noted.

Ultimately, Ickx suggests that the current regulations are succeeding in their primary objective: delivering a spectacle that resonates with a global audience. As long as the intensity of the competition remains high, the sport is fulfilling its purpose, regardless of the technical differences that separate it from the past.