I like Top Gear. I really do because it’s great entertainment. That’s exactly why the show’s cast does not belong in F1 and why the BBC needs to rethink their rumored decision to include them in it’s 2009 F1 presentations.

First, sport should be entertaining, but not entertainment. Top Gear is as much about the witty one-liners from Jeremy Clarkson as it is the cars. In reality, the cars on Top Gear are just props for satirical automotive commentary - not that there’s anything wrong with that, it just doesn’t have any place in sports broadcasting. Fans expect informed and objective analysis of what’s happening on the track when it happens. That’s not something that they’re going to get from the Top Gear crew.

Second, the cars are the stars of the show, not the celebs in the broadcast booth. Bernie Ecclestone might disagree, but fans tune into F1 to see the cars (and drivers) not TV types. Most established entertainers would admit to not wanting to play second fiddle to a bunch of noisy cars following one another around in circles. Who can blame them but that’s the job.

Finally there’s the man, Jeremy Clarkson. A lot of what he says is right on the money – especially about F1 being sterile and boring but it’s hard to see him promoting a product he has so many problems with.  Absolutely there are things wrong with F1 but reminding the audience of them every two weeks will not grow the viewership.

A true fan is needed in the broadcast booth that both knows and loves F1 and is prepared to be the unofficial ambassador of the sport. Handing the microphone to anyone not relishing that role is a dire mistake.

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Monaco, the crown jewel of the Formula 1 season is unlike any other challenge on the calendar. Drivers guide their seriously overpowered cars through narrow winding canyons of asphalt and steel Armco - a track that has changed little since the 1920’s. While some drivers might think the place outdated and unsafe for modern F1, not a driver will be found who doesn’t desperately want to win it.

Monaco is as much a matter of survival as winning. Even a small mistake can result in a driver destroying his car and passing on the track is next to impossible. Success requires an aggressive qualifying lap on Saturday with an equal amount of respect and discretion needed to make it to the end of the race on Sunday. Still, even that is often not enough: some of the sport’s greatest drivers have never tasted the champagne of victory on the streets of the Principality.

Of the drivers to win Monaco, only three men have won so frequently on the city streets that they might call the tiny kingdom their own. Graham Hill; Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher: the Monaco Masters.

Hill was the first to hold the moniker of ‘Mr. Monaco’ with his frequent wins in the 1960’s. He took five wins between ‘63 and ‘69, never qualifying lower than fourth in a winning year. Hill’s rivals at the time included Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, and Jack Brabham.

Eighteen years later a Brazilian by the name of Ayrton Senna began his campaign to own the streets of Monaco. Senna would eventually claim a record setting six wins in the Principality before his death in 1994. More remarkable were Senna’s qualifying laps sometimes a second a lap faster than anyone else. Monaco is also where Senna nearly one his first race (the race was stopped early because of heavy rain as Ayrton was catching eventual winner Alain Prost) and marked the rookie as a rising star.

After Senna’s death, Michael Schumacher immediately began his conquest of F1 and Monaco. In a career lasting 16 seasons, Schumacher accepted the winner’s trophy five times from the Grimaldi Royal Family. Though Senna’s record was within reach, mechanical retirements and sporting penalties prevented Michael from taking it.

With a new generation of drivers emerging it remains to be seen if any of them will join this distinguished group and become a Monaco Master.

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Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. FUD is a common acronym in the computer world, most often associated with Microsoft, the large monopolistic company hell-bent on controlling the software market. Microsoft often uses FUD to convince potential customers of the dangers of purchasing products from or partnering with a rival. They argue that you are always safer staying with a known product and avoiding the risk and uncertainty of change. This is also the latest tactic initiated by Max Mosley in his increasingly desperate campaign to remain in power as FIA President.

In a letter to all the FIA Club Presidents, Max plays the fear, uncertainty and doubt card by suggesting that great harm could come to the FIA should he be removed from power via a scheduled non-confidence vote on June 3.

First, he suggests that the members should fear losing their control over Formula 1 to Big Business. Mosley paints a dark future in which the FIA loses control of F1 to the Commercial Rights Holders. This shadow cabinet of business interests would then decide the rules governing the sport. Unbeknown to the members, this attack on the FIA is occurring right now and Max is doing all he can to hold the line.

Curiously, the letter does not explain why members should not be suspicious of the timing of the information, this being the first mention of a hostile takeover. Second, it does not explain to what degree members currently have any real control over Formula 1. In truth, the autocratic Mosley has always wielded the real power of the organization.

Next, Mosley mentions several challenges facing the FIA including the aforementioned F1 takeover, the future of the WRC and the potential divorce between the sporting and mobility clubs. He suggests possible solutions to these problems that imply that without the leadership of an experienced hand who understands the issues, there is much uncertainly ahead for the FIA.

Finally, should you be someone who thinks that there is just as capable a candidate out there who could rise to these challenges Max has some bad news for you. Just the process of choosing a new President could very well put the FIA at risk - members might inadvertently elect a ‘Manchurian-like’ candidate controlled by the very forces that seek to undermine the organization. No one can be trusted! Doubt all who might seek power! Trust Max, who you know, from reading the letter, has fought the good fight on behalf of the FIA for years and years.

The underlying message from Max is clear. “Let me do the job until I retire next year because, frankly, no one else can handle all of these challenges better than I can and the chances of you electing someone even worse than me are almost guaranteed.”

The argument has some logic to it, but only if you’re willing to believe that Max himself wasn’t helped into power by individuals with commercial agendas and that many of the problems facing the FIA at the moment are not a direct consequence of his experienced leadership.

I believe that it’s questionable that the future of Formula 1 is so closely tied to Mosley’s own fate. He has done much for the sport but he is not the sport. My hope is that I’m proven right on June 3.

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It’s been almost a week since the Turkish GP - which incidentally was no delight for me this year - virtually no passing and sadly, very little real racing. Aerodynamics are a genie I wish could be put back in the bottle.

I’ve also been pondering what to write about this week. Lots of big important things have been happening in F1 but it actually feels like nothing is happening in F1. Everything is a bit anti-climatic yet I can’t seem to remember there being a climax.

In the past week or so the online F1 media have been pushing these headlines:

• Super Aguri withdraws from Formula 1 -Autosport
  
• No race at Magny Cours for 2009 - Autosport
  
• Time running out for Silverstone - Pitpass.com
  
• FIA proposes 110 M budget cap - Autosport
  
• Mosley plans Monaco appearance - Times Online

Worryingly, none of the headlines refer to any actual racing. Isn’t racing what F1 is about - cars going around tracks, passing one another, thrilling fans and creating legends for us to tell our (future) grandchildren about? Yes, arguably, F1 has always been a bit like soap opera for grown men but let’s have a little racing to help bolster our defense that yes, it really is a sport!

So, rather than wax poetically about the Turkish Grand Prix and Turn 8 (are we really so starved for challenging tracks that we idolize a 4 apex corner likes it’s man’s greatest achievement?) I’m going to throw out a few headlines I want to see in my paper on the Monday morning after the race.

In no particular order of appearance:

• Last lap pass for win leaves fans wondering who won!
• Red Bull fifth team to win a race this season
• Webber steals pole from Pole!
• Teammates bang wheels for second place
• Mosley resigns for good of the sport

For now I guess I’ll just keep the faith but Formula 1 needs to start grabbing headlines because of the racing and not the politics and scandal.

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