There is nothing stranger than Formula 1 politics

Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the sport, Patrese said politics in Formula 1 remain as bizarre and disruptive as ever: "You never know in Formula 1; everything can change day by day. There is nothing stranger than Formula 1 politics.”

Tim Mayer, who stands up against Ben Sulayem at FIA elections in December later this year, will find it tough to beat the Emirati who appears to have delivered on promises to his supporters who will cast the votes, and make the FIA strong again. All soundbites that got him into power at the F1 governing body.

Nevertheless, Patrese suggests that F1’s governing body needs a shake-up at the top: “I would like to see Formula 1 go back a little to the old times.

"The rules should be reviewed to give more freedom to the drivers—in driving, in fighting, in talking. Unfortunately, this president doesn't want the fights or the talk. Maybe a new president, one who understands motor racing better, would be good. Now there are penalties even if you say something wrong.”

Mention the likes of Johnny Herbert and Derek Warwick made redundant, a trend it appears of marginalising former F1 drivers of Patrese's era, and certainly all but forgetting them and their experience-based suggestions and insights into Formula 1.

Herbert, once an FIA F1 Steward with inside info, revealed in a recent interview with the ESportsBets media team: "I think there is a genuine frustration with certain situations that have gone on. Ben Sulayem has just removed Ben Cussons, the British VP of the RAC and is on the FIA Senate which has oversight of finances and governance structures. He has put an Azerbaijani in his place.

"That's something that is being frowned upon. But then you've also got drivers who are increasingly outspoken and frustrated about certain rules that have come into effect. Drivers are very worried of what they're going to say because it may be taken out of context .

"Then they get themselves in trouble like Max did with his swearing. That’s very wrong. There’s a definite concern from within the paddock itself, from the teams and from the drivers. And we do need to have everybody working for the same goal.

"At the moment, it seems to be a fight and a power struggle. Ben Sulayem is working very hard to take a lot of things out of everybody else's control, and that's not gone not gone down well at all. That shouldn't be the case.

"Drivers should be able to express their feelings because in the back of their head they've thinking if they say something they might get themselves into trouble. That's completely wrong. This should not be the case. And that's a problem created by the president," explained Herbert.