Entertain or die

Sir,

With his rather scathing remarks about those in Formula 1 who wish to limit technology, is DSJ not missing the point slightly? I don’t dispute that Renault, ELF et al do spend large amounts of money as a means of increasing their technical knowledge, but what do Camel, Marlboro, Labatts etc, etc, get out of the huge sums they also put in? In a word, publicity.

As the cost of all this technology escalates, so the publicity demanded by sponsors in return for their investment will also increase. But if as a result of the technology the racing becomes dull for the vast majority not able or rich enough to go to a Grand Prix and who only see the TV coverage, both they and the TV companies will look elsewhere — Indycars perhaps — for their entertainment. Sponsors will then be deprived of their publicity and will also go elsewhere and F1 will have to cut back whether it likes it or not. A balance must be struck between technology and entertainment, if the interest is to be maintained, as F1 is basically entertainment, however it likes to think of itself. It must entertain or else.

John Litten,
Welford, Northants.