The MotoGP comparison is spot on and something I hadn't really considered before. There's this tangible loop in bike racing where fans can actualy participate in a similar experience - same gear, similar bikes (scaled down obviously), same tracks on track days. F1 just doesn't have that pathway. What's interesting though is how this mirrors other luxury markets where the product itself becomes almost irrelevant to the consumer experience. I remember when watch forums started blowing up a few years back, same dynamic - people obssessed over Pateks they'll never touch. The "symbolic capital" framing is useful here becasue it gets at why people defend teams or drivers so intensely despite having zero material stake in the outcome.
Really enjoyed your insights here. The cultural fluency is everything. Formula 1 is way more than a race and as a super fan myself all I want for Christmas are paddock passes or start/finish grandstand tickets to races throughout the year. So much joy and excitement in the experience of it all.
Well said Toni, as always.
The MotoGP comparison is spot on and something I hadn't really considered before. There's this tangible loop in bike racing where fans can actualy participate in a similar experience - same gear, similar bikes (scaled down obviously), same tracks on track days. F1 just doesn't have that pathway. What's interesting though is how this mirrors other luxury markets where the product itself becomes almost irrelevant to the consumer experience. I remember when watch forums started blowing up a few years back, same dynamic - people obssessed over Pateks they'll never touch. The "symbolic capital" framing is useful here becasue it gets at why people defend teams or drivers so intensely despite having zero material stake in the outcome.
Really enjoyed your insights here. The cultural fluency is everything. Formula 1 is way more than a race and as a super fan myself all I want for Christmas are paddock passes or start/finish grandstand tickets to races throughout the year. So much joy and excitement in the experience of it all.