Formula One’s first night race this weekend is exactly what the glamour series needs to combat the effects of the global financial crisis, teams said on Friday.
“It would be foolish to think that the external environment does not effect our business,” Williams chief operating officer Adam Parr, whose team’s title sponsors are U.S. phone company AT&T, told reporters on Friday.
“What’s important is to prepare and we are trying to do that.
“We need to identify ways to reduce our costs and we need to work with the commercial rights owners and (Formula One supremo) Bernie (Ecclestone) to continue to grow the sport.
“This weekend is a testament to what FOM (Ecclestone’s Formula One Management) has achieved in terms of creating something absolutely phenomenal.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner echoed Parr’s sentiments.
“The global economy is not in great shape,” he said. “It affects all ends of the pit lane and it’s down to the teams to work collectively with the governing body to make sure we are responsible in what we do to control costs.
“On the other hand, venues and races such as this one are so powerful at demonstrating Formula One in such a fantastic light, that there are very positive aspects as well.
“This race especially this weekend, will be a big boost for the series in general.”
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