Omologato and F1

If you spend any time talking to lifelong Formula 1 fans, you'll quickly discover a common theme: many believe the racing has lost some of its raw edge. If you follow me on Twitter you'll see me wingeing about the "battery overtakes". Today's cars are extraordinary feats of engineering, yet the spectacle can sometimes be overshadowed by battery management, tyre preservation and complex strategy. There are races where drivers appear to be calculating rather than attacking, managing energy instead of chasing victory at every corner. For those of us who remember the thunderous V10 era, or even the more aggressive racing of the last decade, it's easy to understand why some fans feel the sport has become over-engineered. Formula 1 has always been about innovation, but there is a growing feeling that the balance between technology and entertainment has tipped too far towards the former.

Yet here's the irony. While some supporters question the racing, Formula 1 itself has never been more commercially valuable. The championship has transformed into a truly global entertainment brand, filling grandstands from Melbourne to Miami, Monaco to Mexico City. Millions tune in every race weekend, while social media, streaming platforms and documentaries have introduced the sport to an entirely new generation of fans. The paddock is no longer populated solely by automotive companies; it now attracts technology firms, financial institutions, luxury brands, fashion houses, consumer products and global household names. Formula 1 has evolved beyond a racing series it's become one of the world's most influential marketing platforms.

For businesses, that's an opportunity that's difficult to ignore. Formula 1 stands for excellence, innovation, precision and performance qualities every ambitious company wants associated with its own brand. Whether through sponsorship, technical collaboration, hospitality, product placement or business-to-business networking, the sport opens doors that few other industries can. Deals worth millions are often born in the paddock long before a race begins. Relationships are built over a race weekend that would otherwise take years to develop. While fans may continue to debate the regulations and the quality of the racing, the commercial engine driving Formula 1 has never been stronger. The racing may occasionally divide opinion, but as a platform for building brands, creating partnerships and reaching a global audience, Formula 1 remains in a league of its own.

ps IndyCar remains my favourite open wheel racing series - full stop

Shami