The steps the FIA must take to restore its authority inside and outside F1

OPINION: After Spa and Abu Dhabi in 2021, Formula 1 has another saga to address after the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. And it’s one that centres on the decisions of motorsport’s governing body, which is having what good it does do damaged in the court of public opinion. Here are some steps that would address this and hopefully satisfy all parties

It’s been obvious for a while that Formula 1 is riding a popularity wave. How high it reaches and how much distance it covers can’t be known. But with legions of new fans watching and attending races, plus new entry interest from many major manufacturers, it’s in an envious position in world sport.

Liberty Media, as the commercial rights holder, has established its position as having made F1 bigger and better than ever before since taking over in 2017. At the same time, it is frustrated by the rules scandals that have cropped up of late. These are starting to mount and make no mistake: they tarnish F1’s image.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.