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There are concerns about the current state of affairs in the sport, with various figures such as Mohammed ben Sulayem, Toto Wolff, and Ford Performance Motorsport speaking out against recent controversies and the potential harm they may cause. In this time of uncertainty, who will defend the integrity and good reputation of a sport that was once revered but now struggles with scandals? Christian Horner, who likened it to “the Kardashians on wheels” just last year, may not be enough to save its dignity.

Recently, there has been some entertainment in observing the moral hesitancy and outraged reactions coming from those involved in the Horner controversy within the paddock. It seems surprising that a product marketed and sold as a low-quality personal drama would also turn into a low-quality personal drama. People seem shocked that a sport controlled by wealthy, unaccountable individuals and held in oppressive regimes may not always be completely transparent. It has finally been realized that there is such a thing as detrimental publicity, the kind that cannot be crafted and manipulated through editing and scripted narratives.

Horner is still the most knowledgeable person in this regard. The event must continue. The creature must be provided with nourishment. In Bahrain, during the first weekend of the new season, he was seen congratulating Max Verstappen on his recent win. He also openly showed support for his wife, Geraldine, in front of the cameras and urged everyone to move past the investigation that found him innocent of any coercive behavior towards a female employee. There have also been leaked messages and images related to the case, but they have not been verified yet.

“In the midst of it all, the usual cacophony of behind-the-scenes noise continued. If in a more progressive society, this could have been an opportunity to examine the accountability and balance of power within the sport, including its gender disparities. However, it seemed inevitable that we would instead revert back to comfortable territory of idle talk, scheming, and arguing. Did you happen to hear that Toto and Jos Verstappen dined together recently? Is Max possibly joining Mercedes? And what does this mean for Adrian Newey?”

When a sport becomes virtually identical to the material it produces, we see the consequences. Despite dramatic headlines and reaction from other teams, followers and experts, it’s important to consider the level of moral guidance that we can truly expect. It’s possible that we could have hoped for the same leadership that F1 displayed in 2020, when Nikita Mazepin, a Haas driver sponsored by a Russian billionaire, was allowed to continue racing after sharing a video on Instagram that appeared to show him committing a sexual assault. Or perhaps it could have been the type of leadership exhibited by Ben Sulayem last year, when he seemingly defended remarks on his personal website stating his dislike for “women who think they are smarter than men”.

Perhaps it was the kind of moral leadership Horner himself showed in 2022, when he attributed the sport’s new young female fans to “all these great-looking young drivers”. Or the kind of leadership deployed against the harassment of female fans that continues apace both online and at the track. Or the kind of leadership that preaches the gospel of environmental sustainability while fattening the calendar to a record 24 races, including more than ever before at night.

Unfortunately, the current organizers of F1 are just carrying on the legacy of their predecessors when it comes to this matter. These include immature and entitled individuals like Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, who oversaw the sport’s success using funding from tobacco companies, manufactured scandals, and unsavory partnerships with some of the world’s most oppressive governments. This trend can be seen in the past support of apartheid South Africa and the current alliances with countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. Despite this, some still claim that F1 has strayed from its roots.

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This has always been the purpose: a bold tribute to riches and indulgence, a competitive activity that incurs significant expenses and carries a global impact, relying on finding the most profitable revenue streams at all times, with little questioning. There is no hierarchy or communal possession to safeguard, no grassroots movement to nurture. People do not gather at the park on weekends to play F1 with friends. The likelihood of getting the opportunity to drive an F1 car is comparable to the likelihood of going to space. This is a spectacle that provides intense, unimaginable excitement on a nearly weekly basis. However, those seeking morality or ethical uprightness are not truly engaging with this sport on its own terms.

How this particular peccadillo ends is anyone’s guess. There may come a point when even Horner, the count of controversy, realises he has picked one too many fights over the years. The brand is the thing, and ultimately the scent of corporate gore may just provide irresistible content for season seven of Drive to Survive. Live by the scripted entertainment product, die by the scripted entertainment product, I suppose. Either way, we can only hope that Formula One can restore its cherished reputation in time for this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Source: theguardian.com