10/07/2005
NEWS STORY
Asked at Silverstone yesterday of his vision for the future, FIA President, listed a number of changes which he would like to see in order for Formula One to truly sparkle.
First on that list was (quote) "more overtaking".
More overtaking?
Is this the same Max Mosley, who along with Bernie Ecclestone and various other inhabitants of 'Planet Paddock' had previously suggested that there had never been that much overtaking in F1, and that we had deluded ourselves into thinking that there had been?
Is this the same Max Mosley who said that what appeals to race fans today isn't overtaking but strategy?
As we look ahead to today's British Grand Prix, it's worth remembering the 2003 event, when chaos ensued following a track invasion by a former priest.
When the safety car was brought out, in order that marshals could catch the crazy cleric, almost everyone dived into the pits. As a result the field was almost instantly reversed.
There followed one of the best races of the modern era, with drivers - despite the regulations, the aerodynamics and strategy - forced to overtake.
No doubt Max has been swayed by the results of the recent poll in which a whopping 94% of fans called for more overtaking.
It might have taken a Damascus like moment - or a high profile poll - for Max to see the light, but let's be thankful that he's finally seen it.
We don't expect door handle to door handle, wheel banging epics every week - our poor hears couldn't take it - be we do need the chance of overtaking, and that means looking into aerodynamics and circuit layouts. Furthermore it needs drivers to remember how to overtake rather than waiting for pit stops and relying on strategy.
Every race fan can remember their favourite on-track battle, few can claim to having a favourite pit stop.