'We should be grateful to Hamilton because he has opened a lot of doors'

Over the years, Formula 1 has changed in several areas: the competition between them has become more exciting, cars are safer and more reliable, and the popularity of the sport has also increased enormously. Formula 1 is no longer followed purely by nostalgic motorsport fans. The sport has welcomed fresh followers. A very important development, according to Sky Sports' F1 presenters.

F1 has always been glitz & glamour, but with Liberty Media owning the commercial rights, there has been a further push in that area. Certainly, the Netflix series Drive to Survive has reached a new generation of fans, putting F1 drivers and even team owners on par with artists and Hollywood actors.

These days, the grandstands of all Grands Prix are full, not just with fans of the racing. Plenty of people turn up just to catch a glimpse of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. "There are some Formula 1 fans who would be happy if their sport was the best-kept secret on the planet, but I don’t think it should be," Sky Sports commentator David Croft told British Vogue.

"If we can have [celebrity] personalities with broad appeal [attend] so that in five or 10 years time we’re a sport that everyone has heard of, knows about, hopefully enjoys, potentially loves, I see no downside whatsoever," said the commentator, who has also seen that the grid is increasingly frequented by artists and film stars these days.

Hamilton the frontrunner

The presence of these celebrities does not just bring in new fans, believes Sky Sports' pit reporter Natalie Pinkham. According to her, it also contributes to "a new perspective on what was historically seen as an elitist and inaccessible sport". For this, she praises Lewis Hamilton, who is trying to build a bridge between Formula 1 and Hollywood, as well as a new group of fans. "We really need to thank Lewis Hamilton for trailblazing to this extent," Pinkham said.

She sees in him to be the first driver in a long time, perhaps ever, to dominate both the news and sports pages. "He’s the first driver for a very long time, perhaps ever, who’s commanded the back and the front pages of the press. He’s bold with his fashion, he’s prepared to take risks and he’s prepared to talk to a different audience and not feel straitjacketed by those who have gone before him. He cares so much about things outside racing, and because he cares, he sets the agenda. We should be very grateful to him because he’s opened the doors and literally welcomed everyone in. People feel included now in a way they never have before."