Big Businesses and the one with the best car: Formula 1 is back

You look at Formula 1 today, and what is the first thing you think about?

Probably, I would guess, about Michael Schumacher hoping to win yet another title or about Lewis Hamilton trying to get it back at Jenson Button, or maybe about Bernie Ecclestone and how the hell he let that amazon ex-wife of him to run away...

I, instead, being a cynical and political animal, think about the decline of Europe as an economic powerhouse.

The reason, I am saying this, is all in the 2010 Formula 1 calendar, in the link below:
http://www.formula1.com/races/calendar.html

Out of 19 races, only 8 are in the Old Continent (and no, Turkey is not in Europe, sorry), a mere 42% of the total. Asia, instead, that had just one race (in Japan) until ten or so years ago, has jumped to 8 races, equalling Europe and probably going to grow even further in the future.

Formula 1 is the sport of Big Businesses and Big Businesses follow the smell of money, and it is clear that Europe has been outstaged by Asia, while Africa is non-existent, and the rest of the world is shuffling by.

Formula 1, let's not forget, used to be until 10 years ago mainly a European affair. Out of 16 races (at the time), 11 of these were in Europe, a whopping 68% of the total. But with the passing of every year, races in Europe have dropped, while races in Asia, by contrast, have risen, and new destinations such as China and Singapore have popped out.

Interesting also to note, in the European decline, how Spain got not one but two races, and I guess it has to do with Santander, basically the only bank alive in Europe these days and you always need banks on your side and think about it:
Big Business = Santander = Spain = Fernando Alonso.

Yes, Fernando Alonso, the Spanish champ: wasn't he partly involved a couple of years ago in the McLaren spy-affair, but came out clean? And then, the year after, partly involved in the deliberate crush of Piquet Jr at the Singaporean Grand Prix that allowed Alonso himself to win the race, but again, came out clean?

Big Business is running Formula 1 but it has always been like that and it can't be otherwise, so I'll get over it, don't worry, and if I was to be asked to bet on anyone to win the title this year, I would bet on the driver with the best car.

So, grandad Schumacher, you do have a chance, maybe, after all.