C'mon F1, sort yourself out

Not sure if Formula One is killing itself or being murdered. But I do know that the political wars, rule change rows, and financial disputes in F1 are in danger of fatally wounding the most prestigious motor racing series on the planet.

Enough, I say.

The in-fighting must stop. The notorious trouble makers within the sport have got to go. And credibility, common sense and courtesy all need to make a comeback along with a better deal for F1 consumers and greater on track competitiveness - which means more overtaking. Please.

In recent weeks, F1 has pathetically limped from one embarrassing crisis to another and although the threat of a breakaway race programme has been suggested by the likes of Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, Brawn and a few other big teams, the renegade, rival series cheekily dubbed 'Formula Won' is - for the moment at least - on ice.

So how can the real deal - Formula One - get back on track? Here are 10 serious and not so serious ideas from me. But I'd also be keen to hear your suggestions for a much-needed rebirth of F1 featuring more on track action and less behind the scenes bickering.

1) How about bonus points for genuine overtaking manouveres? Too often a driver plays safe by 'passing' a rival when his opponent is in the pits. That's not racing. That's bottling out.

2) We've all seen how entertaining races can be when unexpected rain showers dampen the track at a time when cars are wearing the wrong tyres. So why not arrange five or ten minutes of guaranteed 'rain' during every GP - via hidden water sprinklers operated by the race organisors. Could be great fun. For the spectators, at least.

3) Talking of fun, why do some bored-looking drivers never appear to have any, at any time of their inexplicably miserable working lives? Cheer up boys - or vacate your seats and make room for equally talented drivers who have more to say and possess happier faces.

4) One hour qualifying sessions and 90 minute races are over to quick and offer lousy value for fans who often pay hundreds or even thousands to attend a typical Grand Prix weekend. They want, have paid for, deserve and should get more. Why not two F1 races per afternoon? And if that means cars running out of steam and blowing-up, that's fine. All adds to the drama. 5) An alternative idea is to allow GP teams and drivers to run their normal F1 races between 1pm and 2.30pm on a Sunday, but then have another 90 minute dual in fairly standard production cars from, say, 4-5.30pm.

6) Such a second race in such comparatively modest motors would separate the men from the boys, and the genuinely quickest drivers from the slouches who are mere hangers-on.

7) At one meeting they could all be driving, say, Renault road cars of the same specification, at the next it could be BMWs of identical spec, then Toyotas, Mercs and Ferraris. Nobody will have better machinery than anyone else and only then will we be able to identify the fastest and slowest drivers.

8) At least once a year every F1 team should also be forced to take part in a 24 hour race (preferably at Silverstone) using one of their own cars, built to any spec they like. Sure a Ferrari supercar will be faster than a humble Toyota hatchback. But against that, the more modest Japanese car will beat the Italian offering on reliability and fuel consumption when running all day and night. Could be fascinating stuff.

9) Annual, end of season showdown races between the leading F1 and Indy cars should be staged on both sides of the Atlantic on US-style oval and Monaco-style street circuits. Only then will true and meaninful World Champions emerge and be crowned.

10) Former F1 driver, agent, technical expert, multi linquist, and respected businessman (at Silverstone and his family car dealership) Martin Brundle must be brought in to the FIA to replace the soon to be retired Max Mosley. Brundle's first job should be to persuade Loeb and Rossi to quit rallying and bike racing and sign up to F1. And why not?