The persistent supremacy of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 could lead fans to "disappear," suggests Jeff Dodds, the new CEO of Formula E, a series once considered a potential rival to F1's popularity.
Despite Formula E's ambitious start, its threat to F1's fanbase hasn't materialized, largely thanks to Liberty Media's efforts to enhance Formula 1's entertainment value, which has seen the sport's popularity soar.
Nonetheless, Dodds, speaking from the latest Formula E event in Sao Paulo to Spanish sports media, warns that the patience of fans for more competitive racing isn't infinite.
"We've had eight different champions in nine seasons," he highlighted, showcasing Formula E's competitive landscape. "Most of them have been decided in the last race.
"Fans love competition, and when competition begins to disappear, the fan base begins to disappear too," Dodds emphasized.
In the previous season, Red Bull's dominance was stark, clinching 23 out of 24 grands prix, marking a winning rate of 96 percent – an unprecedented statistic in the history of Formula 1.
"Now the question is whether Max will be able to win all 24 races on this year's calendar, and we don't want to be that kind of sport," Dodds remarked. "He's already won the first two."
In another rhetorically bold move during the F1 pre-season tests in February, Dodds pledged a $250,000 donation to charity if Verstappen doesn't clinch the 2024 championship, underscoring the current predictability in the sport's outcome.
