Are you willing to sponsor?
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
By Emanuele Venturoli| Posted April 18, 2024 | In Formula1
Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, has captivated audiences for over seven decades. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to a potent blend of factors – a relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technology, the heart-pounding thrill of competition, a rich history with iconic names, and a global reach that transcends borders. This confluence of elements creates a spectacle that’s as thrilling for motorsport enthusiasts as it is a valuable platform for brands and manufacturers.
Formula 1 as a global sport is experiencing a significant surge in popularity, particularly in recent years. Here’s some data to illustrate this trend:
Television Viewership: Formula 1 boasts a massive global audience. In 2023, Formula 1 races collectively drew a record-breaking 5.7 million attendees (Source: Forbes). While attendance figures don’t directly translate to viewership, they indicate the sport’s growing fanbase.
Social Media Engagement: Social media has been instrumental in propelling Formula 1 to a wider audience. In 2023, Formula 1 boasted over 180 million followers across its various social media platforms (Source: Formula 1 Official Website). This active online community fuels discussions, generates hype, and expands the sport’s reach.
Growth in New Markets: Formula 1 is actively expanding its global footprint, adding new races in countries like the United States and Miami. This strategy broadens the sport’s appeal and attracts new demographics of fans.
Impact of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive”: The docuseries “Drive to Survive” has been credited with introducing Formula 1 to a whole new generation of fans. The behind-the-scenes look at the lives of drivers and teams has ignited interest, particularly in the younger demographic
For the world’s leading automotive manufacturers, Formula 1 serves as a real-world laboratory for groundbreaking technological advancements. The relentless pursuit of speed on the track translates directly into innovations that find their way into everyday vehicles. Here, on the bleeding edge of motorsport engineering, teams push the boundaries of materials science, aerodynamics, and powertrain efficiency.
Imagine lightweight yet incredibly strong carbon fiber chassis materials, honed on the racetrack, eventually trickling down to your next car, making it lighter and more fuel-efficient. Formula 1 has been instrumental in developing advanced energy recovery systems (ERS) – technology that is now commonplace in hybrid and electric vehicles. The constant competition between engine manufacturers in Formula 1 fuels research into cleaner, more powerful engines, ultimately benefiting the cars driven by millions around the world.
For sponsors in the automotive sector, aligning with a Formula 1 team allows them to showcase their commitment to technological innovation and a culture of high performance. Seeing their logo emblazoned on a car that pushes the limits of speed and engineering creates a powerful association, translating into consumer preference for the brand’s road-going vehicles.
Beyond the technological marvel, Formula 1 is, at its core, a thrilling sport. The high-octane action on the track, with drivers battling for position at breakneck speeds, leaves audiences on the edge of their seats. The roar of the engines, the strategic pit stops, and the dramatic overtaking maneuvers all contribute to a captivating spectacle that’s unmatched in the world of motorsport.
This exhilarating competition breeds passionate fans across the globe. For these devoted supporters, Formula 1 transcends just a race; it’s a weekend-long immersion into a vibrant world fueled by adrenaline and team loyalty. The roar of the crowd as their favorite driver takes the checkered flag is a testament to the emotional connection fans forge with the sport.
For brands associated with Formula 1, this passionate fan base represents a highly engaged and loyal demographic. Sponsoring a team or driver allows brands to tap into this fervor, creating a lasting association with the excitement and energy of the sport.
Formula 1 boasts a rich history that lends a certain mystique to the sport. Iconic names like Ferrari, McLaren, Williams, and Mercedes-Benz have graced the racetrack for decades, etching their legacy onto the very fabric of motorsport. These teams have fostered legendary rivalries, produced iconic drivers like Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton, and delivered moments of pure racing magic that are forever etched in the collective memory of fans.
Sponsoring a team with such a rich heritage allows brands to bask in the reflected glory. Aligning with a legacy team imbues the brand with a sense of heritage, prestige, and a commitment to excellence, all qualities that resonate with consumers.
The global reach of Formula 1 is unparalleled in the sporting world. Races are held across five continents, bringing together a diverse audience united by their passion for motorsport. From the electrifying atmosphere of Monza in Italy to the night race in Singapore, Formula 1 showcases the best of racing on a truly global stage.
This global reach is a goldmine for brands seeking to expand their international footprint. Sponsoring a Formula 1 team allows brands to gain access to a vast international audience, fostering brand awareness and recognition on a massive scale.
Beyond traditional manufacturers, Formula 1 has also become a haven for innovative and disruptive brands. Companies like Red Bull and Monster Energy have leveraged the sport’s global reach and passionate fanbase to build a powerful marketing presence. These brands have gone beyond simply placing their logos on cars; they have actively engaged with fans through creative activations, experiential marketing campaigns, and content creation.
The success of these brands demonstrates the immense marketing potential of Formula 1. Sponsorship allows brands to connect with consumers on an emotional level, fostering a sense of excitement, association with high performance, and a global outlook.
Formula 1’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its unique blend of cutting-edge technology, exhilarating competition, rich history, global reach, and the captivating human drama that unfolds on the track. For brands seeking to connect with a passionate and engaged audience, Formula 1 offers a gateway to success.
Sponsorship in Formula 1 allows brands to:
In a world saturated with marketing messages, Formula 1 sponsorship offers a unique and powerful way for brands to cut through the noise and forge lasting connections with consumers. The allure of speed, the dedication of the drivers, and the constant push for technological innovation ensure that Formula 1 will continue to captivate audiences and provide a valuable platform for brands for years to come.
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
A graduate in Public, Social and Political Communication from the University of Bologna, he has always been passionate about marketing, design and sport.
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By doing so, we are convinced that we are shortening the value chain, saving time and money. However, these DYI methods are anything but risk-free and what initially appears to be a competitive advantage soon turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve. That’s why there are agencies. And this is why you should rely on us for your sponsorships.
When first approaching a sponsorship or sports marketing project, it is difficult to know immediately which stakeholders are correct, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Sports is a very specialized field of action, and fitting effectively into its paths can take a lot of time and therefore money. We, on the other hand, know referents and spheres of action and know who to talk to, when and how. So you are also more effective.
Sports is an immense passion, and for our heart colors we would be willing to do anything. But business is a different business, and it is important to make the best possible strategic decisions based on independent research, statistics and reliable data. A sports marketing and sports sponsorship agency like RTR has an objective, 360-degree picture of the scenario and can tell you what is really best for you: which sport, which athlete, which team. This is because we possess a great deal of data and information on ratings, segmentation and attitudes. Because the numbers don’t lie. Never.
Activations are the real heart of sports sponsorship. Without them, there remains only a blank sticker on a motorcycle, car or uniform and no contact with the public, no emotional connection, no impact on the bottom line. Then how do you do it? It certainly won’t be the teams or the athletes who will help you leverage sponsorship and enjoy the many marketing rights you have paid for. To bring out the best in a sports marketing project you need an agency that knows how to use sponsorship to engage the fanbase on the Web, to reach out to Shopping Centers, to organize hospitality, to develop B2B and B2C opportunities, and to get “your” athletes in front of millions of potential consumers.
Would you ever go to the dealer who sold you the car and ask if the competitor’s car is better? No, of course. So, how do you expect to get firm measurements of the effectiveness of your sponsorship if you do not rely on someone super partes? At RTR, we have always worked with independent third-party agencies that allow us to know the return on any exposure of your brand on TV and in the media. In addition, we believe in calculating ROI as the ultimate measure of your success-so we can tell you for every penny you spend how much you are making.
We have been involved in sports sponsorship and sports marketing for more than 15 years. We are consultants in the sense that our goal is to maximize your investment, but we are also an agency that manages the project from start to finish. We have been doing this since 1995 with passion and professionalism, following three principles that have become cornerstones of our business: independence, verticality and transparency.
I would like to highlight the fact that one of the qualities of RTR is its great ability to approach the sponsorship scenario strategically, together with its passionate attitude, its amazing enthusiasm for solving problems, and its high level of professionalism.
Gianluca Degliesposti
Executive Director Server&Storage EMEA
Eurosport is truly delighted with its business relationship with Riccardo Tafà, who has become extremely popular, thanks to his detailed knowledge of the sports marketing sector and his highly diligent attitude to work.
Francois Ribeiro
Commercial Director
Passion and Expertise are the features that I have found in RTR since the very beginning. Serious and reliable professionals but also very helpful, nice and open-mind people, willing to listen and compare different ideas. All the values in which RTR believes make this agency a partner, not just a supplier, a partner with whom we have had the opportunity to achieve significant commercial results in term of success and image.
Luca Pacitto
Head of Communication
We have been working with RTR Sports Marketing for over 10 years. The objectives and the programmes of collaboration continue to be renewed and to grow with mutual satisfaction. I believe RTR is a team of great professionals led by Riccardo Tafà, who I consider a manager of exceptional skills and with a great passion for his work.
Lucio Cecchinello
Team Principal
I have known and worked with Riccardo Tafà since 1995 when we collaborated for the first time on a project for the Williams Formula 1 team. Several clients followed. After leaving Williams to work for Gerhard Berger then owner of the Toro Rosso F1 Team, I turned again to Riccardo to seek his help in finding a tool supplier for the team and Riccardo duly obliged with an introduction to USAG, a partnership with Toro Rosso which endured for five years. I recently started a new role as Group Commercial Director for the renowned Andretti Autosport organisation and I find myself working with Riccardo once again on a number of interesting projects. Why has this relationship with Riccardo endured ? He’s smart, knows the commercial side of sport inside out and back to front and he’s honest and trustworthy. Riccardo Tafà is a “doer” not a “talker”: in over 20 years I have never had a dispute either with him or with a company that he has introduced and each partnership introduced by Riccardo has delivered quantifiable ROI to rights holder and sponsor alike. I can think of no better testimonial of Riccardo’s diligence, knowledge, contact base and hard work than that.
Jim Wright
Group Commercial Director
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