British-Korean driver Jack Aitken, overwhelmed by the response he obtained from followers in South Korea after his System One debut final yr, hopes to make use of his newfound help to catch the attention of groups seeking to faucet into the East Asian market.
Aitken made his F1 debut for Williams on the Sakhir Grand Prix as a substitute for George Russell, who stood in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after he examined constructive for COVID-19.
Aitken, born in London to a Scottish father and Korean mom, stated he had made waves in Korea regardless of a Sixteenth-place end in Bahrain.
“There was an enormous response — greater than I anticipated — which was superb as a result of historically F1 hasn’t been as common in Korea,” he instructed the South China Morning Publish.
“Curiosity in motorsport continues to be younger. We do have loads of Korean followers getting in contact and lots of who observe the races due to my heritage. I’ve had loads of questions asking about learn how to get entangled.”
F1 has lengthy expanded from its European origins, with Japan added as the primary Asian venue in 1976, adopted by Malaysia, which later departed. China joined the record in 2004, Singapore in 2008, and there are actually additionally races within the Center East. South Korea hosted 4 races between 2010 and 2013.
Aitken stated his focus can be to assist enhance motorsport’s recognition within the area.
“It is effectively documented that motorsport just isn’t low-cost and also you want to have the ability to be marketable,” he stated. “Markets within the East are very engaging and Korea is certainly excessive up on that record.
“In the event that they [manufacturers] can utilise me to make themselves extra marketable, that is an actual plus.”