In our College football, the players are put in a combined practice (NFL Combine), then the NFL football teams can evaluate the talent.
Why can't F1 do the same?
Make a special dispensation for the last 2 F1 teams in points. Allow the use of their cars for the testing sessions. It's not as if they will miraculously gain 4 seconds a lap from this test.
Have these tests every year? 2 years?. And over a 1 week period all the drivers are evaluated in two different cars. This ensures the best talent advances to the next level - regardless of which discipline they are racing currently. Televise it. That would be fun to watch.
The pay to drive formula is a double edged sword. One one hand, drivers who have the talent would not get the opportunity. On the other hand, drivers who don't pay and who do have talent (or more talent) would be excluded from teams they would normally use as stepping stones. hmmm. did I just say the same thing twice?
You know what I mean.
Also.....I'm gonna say it.....
Worldwide advertising/promotion requires someone who is somewhat photogenic and somewhat socially (other than Kimi
) adept. It's unfortunate, but who wants the obese, meatloaf hoarding lady with cottage cheese legs promoting diet food to pretty people in Monaco? You get the picture.