Formula 1 talks about the fascination of the Olympics. © APA/afp / ATTILA KISBENEDEK

Racing under the rings: just a dream

Not even the drivers have much hope. Formula 1 and the Olympics – they just don't fit together.

July 23, 2024

From: dpa

"I think it's quite difficult to integrate motorsport and racing into the Olympic system," said Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg before the start of the games in Paris. "I don't think we belong on the Olympic stage," said three-time world champion Max Verstappen. "It's just not for me, to be honest. We have our own championship, which I think is very well received." But the 26-year-old Dutchman from Red Bull enjoys watching the world's biggest sporting spectacle on TV.

Rival and record world champion Lewis Hamilton even wants to be there as a spectator. "Because one of my good friends, Miles Chamley-Watson, is competing in fencing. And I'm looking forward to tennis," said the 39-year-old Brit. But car racing is not something the superstar is interested in at the Olympic Games.

Many questions remain unanswered

"It would be nice, but I think it's pretty unlikely," emphasized two-time champion Fernando Alonso (42). Because the material is crucial for victory or defeat. In theory it's a cool idea, but he doesn't know how it would be implemented in practice, agreed McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. At 23, he is already part of the next generation of the top class of motorsport and recently celebrated his first victory in Hungary.

And the Australian has identified another point that he considers crucial. When asked whether he would be proud to represent his country at the Olympics, he stressed that pride in Formula 1 is mostly based on being the best of the best - regardless of nationality.

Everything is ready in Paris. © APA/afp / MANAN VATSYAYANA

In August two years ago, the International Olympic Committee announced that nine sports had applied for inclusion in the program of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles at a presentation. This included motorsport (e-karts), which was then not one of the five selected disciplines.

Much to the chagrin of Charles Leclerc (26), who got a taste of the Olympics as a torchbearer in his home country of Monaco. "It would be great to have motorsport at the Olympic Games," said the Ferrari driver. "In order to be able to drive the same car, you obviously have to decide which track you want to drive, what downforce, what horsepower and so on. But it is definitely possible."