Skip advert
Advertisement
Opinion

"Formula 1 is back, but is Ken Block the future of motorsport?"

Check out Ken Block's online videos if the F1 gets boring, says editor-in-chief Steve Fowler

Ken Block opinion

Ever seen Ken Block on video? Check out the video below and enjoy him hooning (he drives for Hoonigan Racing!) around Ford’s Cologne factory in a prototype Ford Focus RS. His videos are compelling viewing, with one boasting over 22 million views. No wonder Ford is happy for him to throw its cars around on screen.

But what does Ken Block have to do with the new season of Formula 1? At last week’s Geneva Motor Show, I met up with Ford folk and chatted to Raj Nair, the company’s chief technical officer and the man in charge of product development.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I asked him why, in a year when Ford is being noisy on the fast car front (Ford GT, Focus RS, Mustang...), it’s so quiet on the motorsport front?

“Motorsport is still important to us,” he told me. “Our heritage is founded on a race Henry Ford won. We look for an engagement where we can see a return. Ken Block is an example of a motorsport spectacle – he’s given us tremendous exposure. But some series become more about the driver than the maker. In F1 it’s more about Lewis [Hamilton] vs Nico [Rosberg], than Mercedes vs Ferrari.”

Ford still plays a decent part in motorsport, from Formula Ford to the increasingly popular Block-style Rallycross. And here’s hoping we see a return to Le Mans for Ford with the GT.

I’m also hoping for a blockbuster Formula 1 season, although I’m going to play it safe this year after tipping Jenson Button to win last year.

I can’t look past Lewis Hamilton and a third world title, although I hope the Williams team gets to the top step at least once, and I’d love to see a Jenson win by the end of the year. Most of all, I hope this year’s racing is entertaining – although if I get a bit bored mid-race, there’s always YouTube and a quick fix of Ken Block.

Who are you rooting for this year? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Fast Fords won’t die: ST and RS performance brands will have a role in the EV future
Ford Focus ST - front cornering

Fast Fords won’t die: ST and RS performance brands will have a role in the EV future

Hot Ford models have been falling by the wayside but we may see some iconic badges return soon
News
11 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Restricting supply of petrol cars still an option for Ford as EV targets bite
Ford Mustang Mach E GT

Restricting supply of petrol cars still an option for Ford as EV targets bite

The government’s consultation on the ZEV mandate is due in the next few months and should provide some certainty for manufacturers but Ford may still …
News
13 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025