You have to wonder if these people are watching the same thing as the rest of us?
Formula 1 is in a funny state as its lost a lot of the things that made it so popular and relevant in the first place.
- It is no longer pushing future technologies or being cutting edge (go to Formula E and WEC for that)
- it can't come close to the spectacular of Le Mans or the Indy 500
- it no longer had wheel to wheel racing whilst half a dozen other series has
- it no longer has a grid of the best drivers in the world.
You think as it doesn't have these things it would fade, however it used to have these things and therefore captured a market. In doing that they made a lot of money and are now run by a huge media PR company. F1 keeps itself going by commissioning and making sure articles like that of Jack Nicholas are widely circulated. For decades it's employed a business strategy of making sure there is a virtual media shut out on other motorsport series for anyone other than hardcore motorsport fans who go looking for it. That way it can keep telling you it's the ultimate in motorsport. The more times it says that the more people are likely to believe it.
F1 lost it soul somewhat when people started to refer to it as 'the show' like it was wrestling or something.
I really hope one day someone can bring it back to its glory (and the reduced downforce and Aero has to be the way forward) but it new owners currently want to distract us with razmataz, famous names as consultants and new logos.
Sorry. Rant.