A variety of motorsports are very popular in the UK. In fact, the UK is widely regarded as being one of the key players in the motorsport world. Like fans from the rest of the world, the UK has been watching the sport evolve with keen interest. About what exactly does the future of motorsports looks like? Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent trends.
Simulations
Last year, McLaren announced the launch of a new programme, the World’s Fastest Gamer. This is an annual competition where gamers compete with one another for the opportunity to work as a simulator driver for the McLaren team. While this might initially sound like a brave direction for motorsports to take, it actually makes a lot of sense.
As computers continue to become more powerful and more affordable, there has been a dramatic increase in the number and sophistication of digital simulations. These simulations are being used to train people to perform a wide range of functions and skills. Airline pilots have used simulators to train for a number of years, but today, even surgeons are using simulations to train and practice.
Now that virtual reality technology is starting to mature, the possibilities that simulations can offer have exploded. There was a time when racers honed their skills on the track. Today, they are just as likely to be taking some time out to practice on a simulation. A few years ago, Ford invited journalists to their HQ in Dearborn Michigan to preview the Ford Immersive Vehicle Environment (FIVE). It is here at FIVE that Ford’s engineers and designers work to design and test their creations before any physical component has been produced.
Electric Cars
The world of motoring is undergoing a dramatic transformation right now. We are gradually moving away from diesel-powered vehicles and towards electronic and autonomous ones. The general public’s attitudes towards vehicles, especially those that run on petrol, is also shifting. Climate change is becoming an increasingly prominent concern for many people. As a result, the motorsport industry faces an uphill battle to maintain the image of the sport.
Formula One E has come a long way since its inception a few years ago. Initial responses to the introduction of electronic cars to Formula One were underwhelming. Since then, Formula One E has continued to attract more interest and more skilled drivers. This has meant that securing investment has become a lot easier and it now looks like Formula One might successfully make the transition to electric vehicles one day.
Fan Involvement
It is clear that a number of advances in the technology sector are informing the direction of motorsports evolution. As well as playing a significant role in the way that cars are designed, manufactured, and driven, technology is also changing the way that fans interact with individual drivers, and the sport at large. For example, the proliferation of social media has forced a complete rethink of how motorsports organizations approach intellectual property (IP).
Now that the vast majority of spectators watching motorsports have a relatively high-quality camera in their pockets, in the form of their smartphones, anyone can now record an event and upload the resulting file online. This means that broadcasters no longer have the power to control what the audience sees.
Overall, the proliferation of amateur footage shot by fans has been beneficial to motorsports. There were worries that these developments could necessitate the scaling back or elimination of race broadcasts. On the contrary, the increased exposure the sport has received has helped to raise its popularity to new heights.
ESports
A Nielson Sports survey conducted in 2017 revealed that a little over 43% of motorsport fans are also interested in eSports. The subsequent launch of the first official Formula One ESports series indicates how important gaming might be to the future of motorsports.
We mentioned simulations earlier. Given that there are now a number of motorsport companies investing in creating software designed to help drivers train and learn, it seems only logical that they would also develop versions for the consumer market. In fact, Formula One launched their official eSports league a few years ago. This league sees players from across the globe competing at the official Formula One game.
The addition of new Formula One tournaments featuring electric vehicles and eSports means that there are now more ways for fans to engage with and enjoy their favorite sport. Online services like Betway – sports.betway.com – who offer both traditional sports betting and eSports betting, will surely benefit from the emergence of these new leagues.
The trajectory of the evolution of motorsports is being driven largely by developments elsewhere in the world of technology. The future of motorsports looks to be much more sophisticated in this regard, the sport is clearly embracing this new direction.
What do you think the future holds for the world of motorsports? Let us know in the comments section below.