I think your comment that the popularity of F1 in Spain being down to Alonso is quite correct but leasds to the question as to whether these new fans will stay once Alonso’s dominance ends. And, for an answer, we could look to the 30% of tickets sold for Valencia (pre Schumacher’s announcement of course). If you look at the ticket sales for Silverstone you will see a significant difference. Even during the years of water pushing, despite there being no British pretender, the – very expensive – stands were full. And that’s because they were F1 fans first and partial second.

I’ve stood at Club during qually and seen the same fans cheering excellent laps from different drivers and different cars. Once Mansell, in the naturally aspirated Williams-Judd against the turbos, put in a blinder, gaining second slot at that time, and almost the whole crowd cheered (the few who didn’t were Ferrari fans who were later booed). Yet the majority were neither Mansell nor Williams fans.

I regard myself as a ‘typical’ F1 supporter and I don’t want to see, as The New 2 says, F1 become F3. Or, indeed, the pointless new F2. That is what Mosley, for whatever reason, was pushing F1 towards.

It is not only easy to blame Mosley, but we should.

But until promoting a race is a viable proposition great race venues will be in danger and the fans will continue to be fleeced. Going to a race *should* be value for money. From what I can see it is anything but.

And the promoter should be able to make a reasonable profit for doing that rather than relying on the local government to pay for the event (which is Bernie’s position).

It should be win-win-win for all parties but at present its lose-lose/subsidy-win.

it’s interesting hear your viewpoint. I disagree. Whilst some people have interest in the technical aspects I am sure that this is a minority view.
Look at the increased popularity of F1 in Spain. This has everything to do with Fernando Alonso and nothing to do with technical excellence.
Did James Allen not described commentating on the Schumacher years of domination as “like pushing water uphill.”?

BMW have confirmed that they aren’t going to supply engines next year, but hopefully sauber can continue – it is looking as though there are going to be a lot of cosworth engines on the grid next year!!

can definitely see kubica moving to ferrari now, hopefully heidfeld can find himself a decent place on the grid too next year

Now, BMW I’m surprised are pulling out. Yes they’ve had bad results, but as anyone inside F1 knows, things change, and next year could be much better. But boards want instant results, and don’t bother to learn about the sports they compete in.

Aren’t you fed up with the constant direction change (pun intended) of the rules? Refuelling? Front wings the size of the former Soviet Union? Changing the points system so Schumacher can’t win championships? Change the tyres so that nobody can drive on them? Traction control? No traction control?

It was even mooted at one stage to wet the track before every race!

These cars should be thoroughbreds, and the technology should be allowed to develop them so that they are at the mercy of the driver, not the other way around.

The evident bias against Mclaren and skewed favouritism towards Ferrari is as palpable as it is ridiculous (if Todt gets in – that’s the last straw for me!).

If Renault and Toyota go – we are not left with a spectacular grid of engineering masterpieces.

I love the sport too, don’t get me wrong. I’ve not missed a race in 14 years. But it seems every year – I have to learn a new sport. It’s confusing and irritating for the fans.

Don’t get me started on the politics…!

(Get well soon, Massa).

Chris.