Summarising the press conference held early on Tuesday 5 March at the Geneva International Motor Show, Jean Todt commented: “The task of satisfying and creating interest across all motor sport categories is a collective one, so I am delighted to gather the promoters of the FIA’s major championships here today to showcase the growth of the respective disciplines and share insights into our future direction. It is vital that we not only keep pace, but find new ways in which we can lead. Time marches on, as does technology, and what interests and inspires people. Opportunity and innovation are the fuel for improvement and I am pleased to announce these exciting new initiatives from the FIA, to enable us to better engage with our audiences and enhance our technical excellence, in order to ensure we continue ‘racing ahead’.
Jean Todt announced four key new developments for the FIA including:
– FIA Digital Motor Sport Working Group – which meets for the first time later today and underlines the FIA’s growing commitment to esports.
– Racing News – a brand new initiative aimed at motor sport fans globally. This weekly show will be broadcast on the FIA’s digital channels, and is the most complete way to get all the video highlights from the weekend’s FIA motor sport activities.
Chase Carey, CEO and Executive Chairman, Formula 1, Olivier Ciesla, Managing Director of WRC Promoter, Torben Olsen, Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Motorsports (Rallycross), Alejandro Agag, CEO, Formula E Holdings and James Geidel, President of RGMMC, expressed themselves during the press conference, which was broadcast live on Facebook.
The FIA Karting Promoter James Geidel reflected on a successful transition year for the FIA Karting World Championships. “Our main focus in 2018 was to create the basis for future growth of the sport and build the foundation to market karting in a more contemporary way, creating social media platforms and OTT channels. The level of entries beat all previous figures with over 800 drivers taking part. 2019 will be an extremely exciting year, as we launch new programs which include local promotion and event entertainment to attract more spectators, a new mobile application for smart phones to better engage with the fans, as well as improving our social networks, OTT channels and entering the fast-growing world of esports.”
Source: FIA