Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1325196/film-could-help-formula-one-break-us-says-button Other Sport
Film could help Formula One break US, says Button
German actor Daniel Bruehl, Niki Lauda and British screenwriter Peter Morgan at the recent premiere of Rush at the Gartenbau Theatre in Vienna in Austria. Photo: EPA
Former world champion Jenson Button says the success of Formula One film Rush could help the sport finally get a hold in the United States.
Formula One bosses have long dreamed of the sport having the kind of popularity in the US that it enjoys in Europe.
“It’s a really good film and hopefully a film that’s going to help us break America with Formula One,” McLaren driver Button told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix.
Director Ron Howard’s high-octane film, released last month to critical acclaim, tells the true story of the legendary 1970s rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
“It’s always very difficult for a racing driver to watch a film about motor racing because we pick out every situation which we don’t think is correct in terms of the racing on the track,” said Britain’s Button, world champion in 2009.
“No film is ever going to be quite right because you have to do the racing at much less speed.
“But I think they did a good job with the race situations and the emotions with the drivers and the fight between the drivers.
“The only bit they missed out was that they were good friends - but that doesn’t make for a great film, does it?”
The United States Grand Prix is on November 17 in Austin and a race in New Jersey has been listed as ‘provisional’ on the next year schedule.