F1 should do something about this before it becomes like the Premier League in football. But sadly it is those who aren't in tenuous positions who hold all the power, and they only work to suit their own needs and not the best of the sport. I guess that is simply the way it is though, and i don't expect anything to change there. Red Bull for example have only come to the fore due to having massive financial backing from a single source - should that source leave, then they would struggle to maintain their position on pure sustainability as a racing team because they don't have the infrastructure of McLaren, Ferrari and so on. Much like your Chelseas and Man Citys in the football world compared to a team like Arsenal or Man Utd.
I don't believe viewing figures hold a massive extent of weight with the powers that be, as F1 sponsorship is largely aimed at company to company trading, apparently. That also is sad.
BTW - it was the Caterham boss who said everyone is in trouble apart from Red Bull, poor quotation by the writer there. Abiteboul also said this today, which is kinda on this topic too:
Caterham team principal Cyril Abiteboul believes Formula One must consider easing the criteria that teams have to meet in order to qualify as a constructor.
The designated 'listed parts' that teams must produce themselves to qualify as a constructor have, for the first time, been published in the public domain in this year's Sporting Regulations.
The list exists to prevent full-blown customer cars from being used, but Abiteboul believes parts that are not significant performance differentiators should not be on the list.
"We need to have a fresh look at that and see whether these parts contribute to the show or if it makes a fundamental contribution to the performance," Abiteboul said.
"If the answer is no, or not really, then we should be open to more exchanges between the teams.
"Obviously, you need to look at the details in F1 because you always try to find ways to go around what is written in black-and-white and there is no spirit of the regulations.
"We have to make sure that it is extremely clear for everyone."
Abiteboul re-iterated his belief that there is the need for greater collaboration between the teams given the current economic climate.
Despite that he is wary of F1 allowing full customer cars, as called for by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo numerous times, and sees a relaxation of the listed parts rule as a better way to ease financial pressure.
That would allow more technology to be shared between the teams, a model that has worked in the automotive industry.
"There is a discussion in Concorde about what exactly is a constructor," he explained.
"Personally, I do believe that it is offering a nice avenue without going into the extreme of complete customer cars.
"Even if the pure definition of competition is that you should not be collaborating, there is still some stuff [we can do].
"We are in a tough economic climate and a good way to mitigate everyone's exposure and cost is to ease the things that are not altering the fundamental principle of the show."
Fully agree with this.
wanted a face palm.