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Reading Mark Hughes’s column (December 2023 issue) I become ever more incredulous regarding the apparent opposition of the 10 existing Formula 1 teams to the ambition of Michael Andretti to join the circus alongside partner General Motors. Recently I watched the Williams team principal James Vowles try to defend his outright damning of the Andretti bid by citing the fact that he was responsible to 900 employees who, as I write, create two grand prix cars for a midfield runner and back marker. I understand that the leading teams employ far more people notwithstanding the fact that the likes of McLaren have projects beyond the precious world of F1. It would be pointless to compare this excess to the halcyon days of Ken Tyrrell’s wood yard or the times, not so long ago, when all the teams piled onto the same aircraft to fly to each race, but nonetheless the sums involved and numbers of people allegedly required are reaching levels some might judge as obscene.
I spend much of my time at an airfield very close
