... apart from anything else, I think the drivers become demotivated (why risk your neck for something you can't win) and the track action decreases sharply.
I don't know if the drivers look at it that way.
Firstly, they LOVE driving. Look at Kubica! He needed to race in the off season.
Secondly, they're being paid and the fans and sponsors are coming to see them perform...and the mechanics, team owners and engineers depend on their drivers to give it everything.
Often, mechanics bonuses are determined by where their car finishes in the races.
Further, if you're demotivated, the next driver will make mince meat of you and the team managers will take note.
There are a lot of drivers out there and not that many seats...and if you don't show up, you're likely to be shown the door, IMO.
But who knows...I might be totally off base.
James Hunt once said that if you're not on it every lap, you risk a shunt...and a shunt at 175 MPH is virtually the same as a shunt at 190 MPH.
What's the difference, he proclaimed.
Lastly, 80 percent of the grid know they "can't win"...but that doesn't stop the likes of Buemi from beating Alguersauri...or Heikki from out-qualifying Trulli 6-0...or of Kobayashi from giving it everything so he can get a better seat...or Di Resta from impressing Mercedes.
Cheers.