Why F1 should try heat races

There are several ideas on the table for ways to change Formula 1 for the better over the next few years, with FOTA stressing the importance of creating a better show for fans, both at the circuit and watching around the world on television. One possibility that has not yet been considered, at least publicly, is that of heat races, as a low-tech, low-budget, high-return means of introducing another variable to prod teams to act like racers instead of technicians from British Aerospace.

Why heat races might appeal to Bernie...

...as a means of goading the teams out of their techno-stupor, is that in his days as a driver - he started scrambling on grass bikes in his late teens and moved up to 500cc Coopers, stock cars, an ex-Mike Hawthorn/Reg Parnell Cooper-Bristol and, by age 27, a second-hand grand prix Connaught - the records show that he won more than a couple of races at Brands Hatch by making his way through two or three heats to win the final.