Robert, you're right but I think Mr Ecclestone led the field with the commercialisation of F1. Yes, other sports have lots of technical input and sponsorship but I suspect the balance towards the sport being really a business is greater in F1 than, for example, croquet? (Mr Google tells me Rockwell and Hurlingham Waterfront sponsor the World Croquet Championship at the Hurlingham Club; I'm not sure who researched and develops the mallets, hoops, balls, grass, etc.) I suspect there's a lot more amateurs in sports other than motor racing although the lines between amateur and professional sport seems to blur these days. I'm not against F1, the events can be exciting, but its US owners seem to be pulling it away from its raunchier roots.To be honest, the politics around personalities such as the Horner situation is interesting and I can see some parallels I've witnessed or heard about at senior corporate levels; and, yes, the Verstappens have their own agenda - perhaps Horner fell into a trap, and who did leak those WhatsApp messages? Although I don't like his politics, I've a secret admiration for the way Bernie Ecclestone came from nowhere, negotiated funds for F1 and, of course, feathered his own nest in the process. Perhaps one of his keys to success was the building of relationships with those whose skills he recognised, respected and trusted; it's interesting how Charlie Whiting went from being a mechanic at Ecclestone's Brabham Team to F1 Race Direct and Head of the F1 Technical Department. Someone who appeared to be well respected by all drivers and better at making decisions than some current delegates? Perhaps Charlie was one of the real keys to F1's success?I think Lauda might have something to say about fires in F1 traditionally fuelled cars ... and didn’t Bernie once say any publicity is good for F1? (And although not a regular attendee I have been to the British and Italian F1 GPs.)
Michael Ixer ● 48d