Share this article on LinkedIn Email

Jenson Button believes Formula 1 should consider switching to shorter races to appeal to a younger audience.

The 2009 world champion accepts hardcore Formula 1 fans would not approve of such a change, but he thinks it is one of the ideas that should be considered because attention spans are getting shorter.

"There will always be the diehard fans that have watched Formula 1 for 10, 20 years and will watch a whole grand prix, but that's not who we're after," said Button ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix.

"It's the younger fans we need to appeal to, to try and attract them to something for an hour and a half is very difficult.

"People have a short attention span. We're like kids, we can't sit down and do one thing for so long - we have to move on and do something else.

"I can't sit in front of the TV for an hour and a half and watch a film, I have to be active.

"It's a tough one because Formula 1 is Formula 1, and changing that is a shame because that's the way it has always been.

"But we need to move with the times if we want the sport to be relevant."

Button said while he can appreciate an interesting F1 race even if it is uneventful, he understands why grands prix are sometimes considered boring.

"When I watch Formula 1, I see a race that's exciting," he said.

"Other people might look at it and say 'well there are a few overtaking moves, but in an hour and a half there is 10 minutes of action!'

"That's why I find it exciting, because when those moves happen it's amazing that driver has put everything on the line.

"But 10 minutes of action in an hour and a half is not enough for most people, and I can understand that.

"Short races, short sports are on the up.

"For example, people love sprint track and field because it's a short burst of energy.

"I've never watched a Tour de France stage [in cycling, which goes on for several hours], but I've recorded a Tour de France stage and watched the last 10 minutes.

"F1 needs to attract a younger audience, but how you go about doing that is a lot more difficult."