Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller has been recruited by Honda Racing F1 to reshape the team’s image. Fuller who has signed a 5 year deal with Honda is famous for co-creating Pop Idol and managing the Spice Girls.
“The competition now for an audience is not just within motor racing but comes from [TV series] ‘Desperate Housewives’ and Chelsea Football Club,” Honda team principal Nick Fry told The Times newspaper.
“We want kids to grow up saying they want to be a racing driver when, at the moment, they want to be pop stars or footballers.”
The arrival of Fuller, who is one of the richest men in show business thanks to Pop Idol’s billion dollar global success and his company 19 Entertainment, has been welcomed by Ecclestone.
“I am delighted to see the Honda Racing team partnering 19 Entertainment,” said Ecclestone.
“This is exactly the direction teams should be taking to broaden the entertainment and sporting appeal of Formula One to a global audience.”
And no, Paula and Randy are not next in the hiring line !!!
Ketan Paul
DailyF1News.com
New Delhi, India
