Parc Ferme: F1 sold its soul to the Devil a long time ago

Even in victory, their ambivalence is palpable, with one competitor moved to comment that it was like getting Championship points for a good qualification. The pitlane, it seems, is unanimous for once, the Sprint format, in its current guise, is a bad idea. But the money says “no”.

I thought I’d cut through the marketing speak here on behalf of FOM and Liberty. The people who foot the F1 bill love it, and by people, I mean the burgeoning number of followers.

More fans and views mean more dollars for everyone in F1, except the FIA of course. If anyone wants to cut their pay or profit, please form an orderly queue to the left.

Once upon a time, F1 was a niche sport for niche fans. However, Bernie Ecclestone initiated the move to mass market and Liberty then turbo-charged it. Consequently, everyone lived happily ever after (except the FIA) with their inflated bank accounts… until now.

They may not like the Sprint race weekend, but I haven’t heard any solutions from that quarter either. I think it was Bernie who once said something to the effect of: “The problem with the teams and drivers is that they think it's all there for them.” This kind of mindset seems to have returned.

Let’s face it, even if you’re knowledgeable, FP1 and FP2 are frankly as dull as dishwater from a TV perspective, and FP3 is only marginally more interesting. No amount of commentator hyperbole can cure this. FOM are aware this is a problem for the legions of new Drive To Survive fans, whose media-saturated minds need action and jeopardy.

The real stuff doesn’t start until qualifying, a format that, for me, works extremely well for all parties. However, it leaves us only one hour on Saturday and two hours on Sunday when something really happens. Friday remains a froth of social media and car parades unless you’re at the circuit.

No matter which way you cut it, the fans like the Sprint race weekend, and that means it's good for the dollar numbers. However, the current “F1 light” approach is vacuous and needs to be replaced. Maybe one solution is to reach back in time and consider an idea from the late 70s: The drivers compete in a silhouette, one-make GT-style Procar Sprint.

The cars would carry the same branding as their F1 counterparts. Chassis/engines would be a lottery draw at each designated round. Qualifying would be the same as the current format, and FP1 duties could be delivered by the reserve drivers. FP2 and FP3 would take place as normal.

There would be no F1 World Championship points, “clipping”, or DRS to faff with, just a straight-up, sprint race bun-fight. And no rocket-science required.

Is the current state of affairs making a mockery of the racing as some drivers are suggesting? Hell yes! Watching Max Verstappen sitting astride his RB19, rise up from the podium floor wearing an outsized golden sombrero reminded me of the eighties bikini-clad models at new car launches.

Maybe next year, if he wins, he’ll be draped over the car in just the sombrero and a Red Bull swim pants? F1 sold its soul to the Devil a long time ago, and now the ferryman needs to be paid with more good old-fashioned racing on a level playing field. Now wouldn’t that be a novelty!