Jack Aitken: “Traditionally Formula 1 has not been very popular in Korea”.
Williams driver Jack Aitken talks about the impact his debut in the category with Williams at Sakhir had in Korea. The London-born driver with a Scottish father and South Korean mother was impressed with the impact, Jack says there is not much of a tradition of the sport there. There doesn’t seem to be much of a Formula 1 or motorsport fan there, the Grand Circus traveled to the country from 2010 to 2013, but just as it appeared it disappeared afterwards and no one has asked very effusively to return to that track. Aitken claims to have received a great deal of inquiries from local fans, so he goes so far as to put himself forward as a candidate to keep the interest of these fans growing. Although it must be said, Jack Aitken is part of the Williams reserve bench, he is not yet an official F1 grid driver.
It seems that Aitken piqued the interest of Korean fans.
“There was a great response, more than I expected, which was amazing because traditionally Formula 1 has not been very popular in Korea. The interest in motorsport is still young let’s say. We have a lot of Korean fans who get in touch and many who follow racing because of my heritage. I have had a lot of questions about how to participate.
Korea was on the calendar, but it just disappeared.
“It’s well documented that motor racing is not cheap and you need to be able to market it. Eastern markets are very attractive and Korea is definitely at the top of that list. If they [manufacturers] can use me to make themselves more marketable, that’s a real advantage.”
