There is no more respected a voice in the Formula One environment than that of grand prix legend Sir Jackie Stewart, knighted for his tireless services to the sport both on and off the track.
And this week he revved up his defensive instincts in the face of doubts about the value and attraction of the sport in the light of a reported fall-off of spectator levels, especially on television, worldwide
The Scottish hero’s impressive race record over a notoriously nerve-racking decade or two, when too many brave men died in full-speed, wheel-to-wheel action, is the stuff of greatness.
He was three times the world champion and 27 times a winner from just 99 races. Add to that 11 runners-up spots, five third places, 15 fastest laps and 42 front line starts and you have a clear picture of his skill and commitment.
His familiar figure, attired in tartan cap and trousers, is a regular sight at every grand prix, long after his exit as a team owner, and the importance of his remarks, carefully considered and coolly delivered, are rarely disputed.
His suffering from dyslexia has never been a handicap, when lucidity of opinion has been at the forefront of his logic and cool thinking.
The 75 year old’s latest outburst is to take a swipe at those who sneer at F1’s popularity and endeavour to downgrade its magnetism.
Leaving no room at all for argument, Sir Jackie insists the grand prix campaign is the greatest sporting spectacle on earth despite falling, but not disastrous, spectator figures.
And he stresses: “It is still the biggest show in town and next year there will be 20 grands prix — but only one in each country. There are a whole lot of tennis events, lots of football, rugby and golf and everything else.
“But there is only one grand prix in Formula One, so it is a big ticket. The big ticket.
“Every year I go to lots of other sporting events, but nothing comes remotely close to Formula One. It is an extremely healthy sport and valuable [as] a global industry.
“It is little wonder, given its popularity and its place in people’s affections, that business tycoons and company chiefs regularly attend the races to promote their business image and investment interests.
“It is a very thrilling and rewarding spectacle and is still enjoyed by millions of faithful fans in every corner of the globe.
“And, as long as we have close, safe and exciting racing among multinationals and what we’ve seen all season between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in colourful scenes and situations, I see it continuing as a massive attraction to many millions of people worldwide.”
As for the fall-off in fans’ figures, F1 supremo Jean Todt, the former Ferrari team boss who is now the ruling body FIA’s head, says: “The dropping in audience numbers is easy to explain.
“We do not have a bad or a fading image. If you go from free-to-air to pay television, the audience will reduce. Simple.
“The world is changing. You don’t have to be a genius to work that out. But our sport will continue to thrive. I agree with Sir Jackie — it is still the ticket to covet.”
Regarding Sir Jackie’s deeply ingrained loyalty to F1 and his upbeat mantra, the cynics will scoff: “Well, he would, wouldn’t he?” But they are missing the point.
— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert
