The decline of F1

Formula One has become such a large money making machine that due to over-regulation it runs the risk of alienating its core fans.

At the conclusion of last weekend's Singapore GP, Australian driver Mark Webber hitched back a ride to the pits on the sidepod of Alonso after his car broke down. The fact that this happened in a blind corner caused the stewards to issue the below mentioned report asking for a reprimand:

"The driver of car 3 drove the car in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person".

Please see the official document to the right.

This same courtesy was extended by Nigel Mansell to the legend Ayrton Senna back in 1991, when Senna rode on the Williams sidepod of rival Mansell at Silverstone. See picture below.

The difference between these two incidents is that Alonso stopped on the racing line in a blind corner and that the business of F1 is exponentially bigger than it was 22 years ago. The former was used as an excuse to give Alonso a reprimand and Webber a 10-grid penalty at the next event [note I didn't call it a race].

To me, this is hypocrisy at its best. We all know that motorsports at this level all have a high degree of danger, but we leave this in the capable hands of the drivers who know best. Yet, in this case, even though we cheer these drivers who all have incredible sharp reflexes combined with the modern F1 car out-of-this-world braking power, the stewards deemed it necessary to intervene.

The entire paddock area must be laughing amongst themselves, especially the drivers. They all know that this is entirely over blown. And Webber, he must be glad he is leaving the F1 circus this year.



Senna hitching a ride with Mansell, who can be seen saluting the fans

Thanks for reading.

Photo credit: Motorsports.com.