LETTERS

ATCHING THIS YEAR’S RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500, I WAS STRUCK BY THE sheer joy of the event compared to the atmosphere in Formula 1. Cynics may wince at some of the pre-race formalities at The Brickyard but from the songs to the flypasts, from the presentations to the ‘most famous words in racing’, the whole show is designed to engage both the fans at the track and those watching at home. Whether it be old heroes in attendance or drivers accompanied by their wives, partners and children the impression was one of a great occasion. The fact that the race itself was not marred by huge accidents (Graham Rahal aside) and that we saw the fairytale fourth win for Hélio Castroneves made the whole event so, so watchable. Contrast F1 with its ludicrous and unnecessary expense, its tyre blankets, huge pitcrews, extravagant aero and ghostly paddock. How often have we seen F1 drivers barely talking to