I’m no fan of Formula One’s expansion into the Middle East in chase of petro dollars. To do so at the expense of F1 traditions like the U.S. Grand Prix and, in several seasons, either or both of the Canadian and Belgian GPs, smacks of rank commercialism. Sheiks in headdresses watching from air conditioned luxury boxes surrounded by massive, and massively empty, stands is hardly a venue that inspires excitement, let alone awe.
It does produce some stunning images, however.