[GreyGTV6]

Richard I agree with a lot of what you have to say, and I must admit I seldom watch Nascar or other oval racing. But to minimize the influence a driver has on car development is over looking a huge part of racing. Granted, if a car is quicker over the course of a lap then a mediocre driver will beat an excellent one.

But I've read many reports and a lot of mags. The engineers and team appreciate it when the driver lets them know what the car is doing and can even input suggestions. The engineers cannot feel the car the way the driver can, and the driver cannot fix it the way the team can. There have been champions who can and cannot give feedback, but by far the majority of champions can. Even the weekend racer practices, goes back to the pits and makes changes as he feels best.

But F1 has become boring. You cannot argue that fact. And like I said Champ and Nascar have lead swops and overtaking. This fact is not lost on Bernie and co. but F1 need Ferrari in the sport to attact the audience and continue making the millions they do. And they are cut a lot more slack than any other team would get. This also applies to other forms of racing where Ferrari are a big drawcard.

No doubt the biggest budgets normally win races. And I agree 100% that the team should be on the podium with the driver.