Critics miss the point as F1 fires up

Martin Brundle's strained vocal chords are testament to the drama provided by Sunday's UBS Chinese Grand Prix. The former Formula One driver described it as the most exciting dry weather race he has witnessed in 15 years of commentating. Rule changes and technology designed to improve the show are working brilliantly, but there remain those who search for rainclouds in F1's blue skies.

Rather than applauding Shanghai's renewed position on the F1 calendar (now through to 2017) some point to the local promoter's comments about the event's profitability. This displays a rather natve understanding of negotiation and an apparent ignorance of why countries pay huge rights fees to host international sporting events. It's not for the revenue from ticket sales.

Clutching at the same straw, others point at the attendance numbers and claim either there's little interest in China for motor sport or that ticket prices are too high. F1 has always been an elitist sport and the velvet rope remains at the core of its appeal. Nonetheless Sunday's crowd was up more than 10 percent on 2010.