Formula One Relaxes Social Media Regulations

Social media regulations around Formula One have been relaxed, as new owners Liberty Media look to strengthen the entertainment value of the sport and allow teams and drivers to strike a deeper bond with fans.

Contractual restrictions with the sport’s broadcast partners previously meant drivers and teams were prohibited from posting video content in and around the paddock area. However, the recent changes will now give fans and sponsors greater access to the sport.

Pre-season testing at Barcelona commenced this week and drivers have already begun to make use of the changes, with the Mercedes team and three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton posting video content from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Former Formula One owner Bernie Ecclestone was famously sceptical of the benefits of offering high levels of digital access. However, new Chairman Chase Carey has criticised this approach by stating ” “We’re not marketing the sport,”.

Liberty Media has made fan engagement a priority and the recent changes show how it plans to build the brand through social media and digital channels.