While Kimi Raikkonen resolutely refused to play the game when asked by reporters how he would change F1 if left in charge, the Finn pointing out that he would never have such power and therefore didn't see the point in responding, Fernando Alonso was only too happy to share his thoughts.

Seeking to follow in the tyre tracks of Graham Hill in achieving motor sport's triple-crown, the Spaniard, who will contest the full WEC calendar this year, including Le Mans, alongside his F1 exploits, is an obvious romantic when it comes to the sport.

"I think it could be a closer battle," he told reporters in Bahrain ahead of a weekend that not only witnesses the second round of the 2018 F1 season but also the unveiling of Liberty Media's blueprint for the sport's future.

"That would always be welcomed, but it has always been like that in F1," he admitted.

"I remember watching the TV in the very old days..." he continued, "it was on television last week a race from '90 or '89 (the very old days? - Ed) and apart from the first four cars, everyone was flat.

"We remember that era like a golden era, with big names etc and they've always been a big spread but I think if you see now, other series, if you watch a race of IndyCars or whatever, that unpredictable result until the last ten laps makes you excited in front of the television and now we can put down the qualifying order for this race right now, on Thursday and that's a little bit sad."

Check out our Friday gallery from Bahrain, here.