Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff is hoping the possibility of matching previous records set by Ferrari will keep attracting fans to Formula 1.
In 2019, the German manufacturer has the chance to equal the Scuderia’s run of six straight Constructors’ titles between 1999-2004, while Lewis Hamilton can move within one of Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world championships.
A normal consequence of one team’s ongoing success, however, is fans tend to lose interest, preferring the unexpected as opposed to more of the same.
“I think it is in the nature of the fan that you cheer for the underdog,” Wolff told Reuters. “Serial winners lose a little bit of appeal.
“What we are trying to do is to approach our sport and our participation with modesty and humility, not take anything for granted. We should never ever have a feeling of entitlement of winning.
“You can, to a certain degree and if you stay true to these values continue to grow your fan following and continue to have the fans cheering for you although you have won a few times in a row,” the Austrian believes.
Also Read:
- Mercedes tell Valtteri Bottas what is needed to keep F1 seat for 2020
- Schumacher a ‘founding father’ of Mercedes’ current F1 success
- Wolff explains how current Hamilton/Mercedes relationship grew from 2016 tension
With the continued challenge from Ferrari and a potentially renewed threat from Red Bull coming for 2019, however, the Mercedes chief knows fans will be split.
“You will have two groups; the ones that are cheering for our competitors, hoping that Mercedes is not going to achieve [more success],” he said.
“Then you will have a large group also that’s going to say ‘well, this is pretty exciting, is Mercedes going to be able to top Ferrari’s record? is Lewis Hamilton going to be able to match Michael Schumacher’s record?’.
“It’s another interesting angle of the F1 narrative. We are very motivated by having equalled the Ferrari all-time record of five consecutive double championships and there’s a sixth one that is there.”
