In our first Talking Point of 2008, we thought it would be good to look ahead. Not to the coming season, but to how we you F1 developing over the next ten years or so.

I know from the e-mails I regularly receive that many fans are worried about the sport's future, and the main concern is that in time F1 will lose its unique identity, that it will become just another one-make series.

Max Mosley has been doing what he's best at; he knows exactly what he wants but issues an ultimatum demanding more. The teams react with horror, they negotiate, common ground is established and an agreement is finally reached, and Max has exactly what he wanted in the first place. It's a clever ploy, and it works.

However, in the opinion of some, what Max wants isn't necessarily what will ultimately be good for F1, it isn't what sets Formula One apart from other race series.

With regards budget-capping, ignoring how the FIA will enforce it with real accuracy remains to be seen, however, in the opinion of some there seems to only be one team really calling for such a move, and this from a manufacturer that has been financially assisting a rival outfit. Furthermore, if budget capping is introduced it is likely that the ones to suffer will be personnel, as teams will continue to spend their money where they feel its really needed, on the technology.

Other than budget-capping, there is concern over Max's desire to severely limit windtunnel usage, his quest to make the sport greener and even safer. All very well meaning but is this what F1 is really all about?

There are some who seriously fear for Formula One's future, who question Bernie Ecclestone's unusual silence, who worry about what CVC has planned for the sport.

One has to wonder why Ferrari - officially F1's special team, hence the extra slice of the 'F1 cake' - has been allowed to do a deal which will see it supplying cars and chassis to what is essentially a rival series (A1 GP).

While the Prodrive F1 team never materialised, we have seen Jordan/Midland/Spyker change hands yet again, and now two more teams are thought to be up for grabs.

This Talking Point isn't about the quality of the racing or the spy saga, it is about where those that shape the sport are taking it and whether their vision of F1 in 2020 is what is really best for the sport.

We want your views on where the powers that be are taking F1.

Chris Balfe
Editor

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Dan Goodwin

1) The Prodrive Team never materialised because it was not going to design its own chassis - so how come Super Aguri and STR are allowed to continue?