23/10/2023
Formula One: A Man's World.
Say what you want about the business of Formula One, but over the past three years it has become a closed shop to anyone trying to get in. The recent and abysmal handling of Andretti Autosport attempting to be included as the eleventh team in the sport appears to have been ruled out by current team bosses and those at the Formula One Group.
A scenario not too dissimilar to a mafia crime family protecting their racketeering underworld, the sports hierarchy is taking a firm stance to make sure the system doesn't get swamped by talent yet continues to appease those voicing for a much-needed overhaul. Talk about double standards.
Indeed, the similarities don't end there. Take F1 female driver inclusion, for example. A topic that seems to have been addressed only to tick a few boxes. The ex feeder W Series, showcasing future female talent, mysteriously plunged into administration the minute it gained popularity - only to be nicked by its rival under the new guise of the F1 Academy in 2023. Even so, Formula One continues to avoid the subject of female F1 drivers like the plague, and it would appear that long-term decision has already been decided by those orchestrating the sport.
The current state of Formula One continues to be dominated by men with the inclusion ratio remaining disproportionate, particularly with so many talented people that are qualified to outperform their counterparts. It's as if those in authoritative posts fear their domination could be jeopardised just for the status quo. And with its rapid expansion across the globe, F1 is too much of a guarded fortress to see any significant change soon.
