But Max did get ahead of Lewis albeit briefly, but the FIA said due to the way they were speeding up and slowing down, then no penalty was given, which I get, but surely what is the point in having rules saying you shouldn't over take a car under the safety car.

Also, I've seen salty spice been given to Christian too

I'm glad in some ways to see the appeal withdrawn - mainly because the championship shouldn't be decided away from the track. I'm not optimistic about the FIA thorough inquiry, however, after their statement last night that effectively blamed fans and others for the confusion. As well as a new race director I can't help feeling they need a new communications director too!

Once I saw that FIA had admitted that things weren’t ideal, I was sure Mercedes would withdraw their appeal. A change in outcome wasn’t going to sit well and Mercedes have the moral high ground. I can hear Hamilton being described as “the 7x world champ - should have been 8x”. I too would be surprised if Masi isn’t sacrificed in this. He needed a sidekick like Charlie W had. And, yes, they should stop the access.

The huge elephant in the room is that as was pointed out earlier: F1 is no longer about which team is capable of building and driving a faster car, but on maximising the cash inflow to the owners. And that helps no-one but the owners.

was it REALLY any different?

I think it has always been that way, the figures involved have escalated alarmingly, but income has always related to success and success has always related to income. The cost cap may be very interesting in terms of how that could change, especially if new teams are allowed.

I suspect that in the pre-Ecclestone days, the F1 association was there to manage facilities for races, organise the rules, and provide some small prize money for the teams. There was the traditional approach of 'win on Sunday, sell cars on Monday'... but these days the F1 exists in and of itself.

yes totally agree , far far more than before , obviously money has always "came into ' the equation , I think for the past 10-20 years money 'is' the equation , and yes as a Ferrari fan that suited them ( and err me ) , but hopefully the cap will help bring some smaller teams into F! and freshen it up , wether they will be able to compete or not is anther matter .. certainly seems to be a few good drivers coming tho , to fill any drives Oscar Piastri for one.

on the Ferrari note , I was more than surprised at Carlos's showing in the car in his 1st season , I thought Leclerc , would have bossed him a bit, but most certainly not the case, very impressed by him

Two incredibly fit men and wonderful drivers.

But I support the one who doesn't have a vegetarian dog.

There's an old joke in F1:
Q: How do you become a millionaire through formula one?
A: Start off as a billionaire

The budgets are so colossal that even most manufacturers struggle to justify an F1 programme, particularly at a time when everyone's heads are turned towards electricity.
So where does that leave the plucky, less corporate teams?
Williams hung on as a privateer for too long and although it was emotional, it wasn't pretty. Thankfully, it looks as though the team has a brighter future now.
I'm amazed Gene Haas hasn't pulled the plug, but if 2022 doesn't bring some success, I reckon he'll go.
And if Lawrence Stroll can make Aston a financial success on or off the track, I'll be very impressed.
Long story short, you need very very deep pockets to play at this table. Not to mention the ability to attract engineers who are borderline genius as well as drivers who are supremely talented on the track and marketing gold off it.
A few decades ago, the prize fund contributed a sizeable proportion of a team's budget - and Ferrari twisted the FIAs arm into the most outrageously unjust division of the spoils, based on the dubious proposition that F1 needed Ferrari more than vice versa. I think the last few seasons have demonstrated the fallacy of that - whatever the historical situation.
But these days, the multi-million dollar partnerships that all teams have embraced are what literally keep the wheels turning. Sponsorship and marketing owns the sport (like most others at the top level), but I'm not sure it reduces the on track drama.
Will the cost cap change the game? I think it depends on how good the players are at bending the rules. And F1 teams are experts at that.

Zac Brown has said that the cost cap could lead to billion dollar teams - with the amount of sponsorship some of them generate and limited ability to spend it we could be heading towards teams having value similar to football clubs in future. Gives Gene Haas very good reason to stay.