The Formula 1 Car

In sports ranging from football to water polo, Samo students have been enthusiastic and proud of their teams. However, there is one sport that has been slightly overlooked: racecar driving. Racecar driving is a renowned, celebrated sport in multiple countries and is known as one that takes immense skill that only the most talented drivers have the opportunity of experiencing. While many of Samo’s student body goes through day to day life not even considering racecar driving, there is one particular field that is beginning to spark interest: Formula One.The FIA, Formula One World Championship, is a world famous competition that has been the premier form of racing since the inaugural season in 1950. It had long been established throughout Europe as the pinnacle of racing by design, technology and pedigree of drivers. While F1 is popular in Europe, new changes to their racing calendar year and an expansion to the US could lead to an increase in popularity in the US and Samo. According to Euronews on Nov. 16, the American company Liberty Media invested an initial 18.7 percent stake from CVC Capital Partners and plan to complete a cash and shares deal in 2017. Not only is Liberty Media trying to expand to the Americas but are also trying to increase the number of races in its season. Although teams have been reluctant to go further than 21 races in a season, chief executive Greg Maffei told investors that it is possible to add at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecoms conference. “There is a general line of interest if you increase the number of races to a point," Maffei said. "The FIA (the International Automobile Federation, which governs the sport) makes more money, the teams make more money, we make more money.”F1 has been led by only one man since 1978 which is the year Ecclestone became leader. It is said that he’s a complete dictator given the years he has spent in such position (39), and his lack of understanding with the fact there’s a need of renovation. Nonetheless, with the drastic change of Liberty Media buying the sport, it is a great opportunity for F1 to get rid of him, who’s 86 years old and still wants to keep making decisive decisions that most of the time damage the sport’s popularity. In other words, F1 needs young blood in order to evolve and gain more popularity in places like the US or South America. Fortunately, now the circumstances have come together to make from this desire a reality.Despite FIA’s efforts in gaining more popularity in America, Samo students, like many in the US, have little interest in the racing industry, considering its popularity around the world. Although the US has started to show a financial interest in the racing world, Samo hasn’t quite caught on yet. Despite this however, due to the recent interest that the United States has gained for the sport, it would not be surprising if  the FIA would become popular in Samo.While this is surprising, considering its popularity around the world, there are a few changes that will determine its popularity this upcoming years, and who knows, in five years we may all be talking about this sport in every corner.