Why Formula 1 is not an Olympic sport

The 2024 Olympics in Paris are just around the corner, and it's got us thinking. Why isn't Formula One racing in the Olympic Games?

In 2022, Formula One had over 70 million viewers, according to the Blackbook Motorsport website. Are the Olympics missing a trick? No, and here's why!

In essence, the Olympic Games are predominantly about maximizing human capabilities and the physical exertion of an athlete, and F1 heavily relies on machine power rather than the person driving the car.

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That's not to say Formula One drivers aren't maximizing their human capabilities and physical exertion. However, the Olympics focuses on human effort and physicality, while F1 is human and machine working in harmony.

According to the Motorsport website, in 2012, former International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge was quick to shut down the idea of F1 being at the Olympics.

"Frankly speaking, the concept we are having is the games are about competition for the athletes, not for equipment. Therefore, while having a lot of respect, they will not be included in the Olympic program."

If it were to be introduced, the logistical issues would be a nightmare. The cost to build a track, maintain it, and dismantle it would cost a fortune for the Olympics, and that's not even considering the cost of getting the cars and all the equipment over.

The Crash website reports that F1 teams spend over $100 million in transferring the cars across the world, with each team having 1,500 tons of equipment.

Gender equality is a cornerstone of the Olympics, with every sport having a male and female category. In Formula One, gender equality has been a key issue, with very few women pushing for a seat in the sport.

With the logistical issues, the essence of the Olympic Games, and the diversity problems within the sport, Formula One will struggle to ever be an Olympic sport.

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