With a number of driver vacancies still up for grabs, not to mention the difficulties that teams, such as McLaren, have had in recent years with certain employees, namely Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya, a recent advertisement in the New Scientist makes interesting reading.

The Williams F1 team, which is still seeking a test driver, at the same time as fending off McLaren's approaches for Nico Rosberg, is looking for a 'Driver Model Developer'.

According to the job description, the British outfit is seeking; "a highly motivated individual to work in our Vehicle Dynamics Department to enhance our simulation capabilities. The role will involve developing optimal vehicle control algorithms and/or mathematical models of the human driver."

All of which begs the question, how long before Lewis, Kimi, Fernando and Co are replaced by computer programmes, which, if nothing else, will cost considerably less - in the long term - don't throw their toys out of the pram at every opportunity, don't get chased around by publicity-seeking bimbos and don't knock back copious amounts of booze.

It's only a matter of time.