According to rumors spread last Wednesday in Joe Saward's blog, Apple may be thinking of taking center stage in one of the world's most popular four-wheelers, F1.
Currently, the world of Formula 1, led by British businessman Bernie Ecclestone, is looking for a buyer. F1 raises great interest around the world, and that is why many companies around the globe have been interested in acquiring its rights. This further points to a clear commercial marketing strategy by those of Cupertino with a view to the possible next launch of their AppleCar.
It seems that Apple would be valuing and prepared a possible offer that allows him to acquire the television and exploitation rights of this sport, managing to give prominence in the first instance to his current Apple TV, and in the near future, to his Apple Car.
F1, at the beginning in one of its Grand Prix.
This acquisition would represent a huge change in Apple's business strategy, which stands out for absorbing more modest companies to incorporate them into its workforce, not for the purchase of high-value items such as a wide network of circuits. What if it would mean for the company, would be enormous benefits in sponsorship in all circuits and merchandising as well as the first-hand access to manufacturers of the stature of Ferrari, Mercedes or Renault, among others, in possible collaboration with its «Titan Project». And is that F1 is considered the highest echelon of sports cars.
In addition, the purchase of this show would bring with it the new series of electric cars, the Formula E, where the Apple Car would have a place.
Saward was unable to pin down details, but the possibilities the purchase of this circus offers the apple company are very numerous and beneficial, generating valuable digital content rights for Apple TV as well. There is still no specific agreement, just interest, but we know that this type of effort of such magnitude is usually done with a lot of notoriety, so surely we will continue to hear rumors and facts sooner than later.
Currently F1 is not at its best, neither in terms of public nor in organization (FIA). They are very concerned and they are interested in passing the problem (economic / financial) to others, I do not see clear the benefits for Apple.