here is a disconnect between the fans and the elevated station of the the movers and shakers of Formula 1. That's obvious, except...
It's not obvious why seemingly smart people keep making bozo decisions, while seeming to be oblivious to what we, the peasantry like about Formula 1.
But suppose Somebody, a group or not, have already decided the fate of F1's future?
What if it's future is preordained to fall into the "Universal Racing" concept already being pushed by Jean Todt?
The "Universal Race engine"? I saw that coming. I predict we'll one day find ourselves reading the news that F1 is to become "GP 1". A stock motor (which we almost already have with every parameter proscribed by the regs). Stock chassis (again, the regulations moderate what can be done so precisely that we're almost there now).
If the Plutocracy already knows this is going to happen, would they care about the peasant's thoughts about engine sound, DRS, or any other sundry thing that is patently obvious to ACTUAL FANS?
No. In fact, they'd use these remaining years of F1 to test out their pet ideas. The Halo. Rube Goldberg hybrids. DRS. Oddball format changes - notice how they're always creeping around with "we need shorter races!", "change qualifying!", etc..
They're tinkering around with a mindset that has already decided F1 as we know it is going away. It explains why they don't care about maintaining a continuity with the past, ignoring fans, and generally behaving like they're in their own little autocratic playground.
Why is Liberty Media seemingly oblivious to their fan base? Making all sorts of small, tinkering around changes? The logo? What was wrong with the logo....? Grid girls were a Big Problem? How about crazy ticket prices? Just today I see they're going to offer VIP rides with the drivers; will this be something the Average Fan will be able to have access to for, say, $15? Of course not. Aristocrat follies.
Zero concern for the peasant paying a month's wages or more to come to one race.
Just a fun conspiracy theory. I don't want to be right, but it explains their cavalier attitude, their slow to non-existent reaction to real problems in F1, and the indicator's directions as to where Formula 1 is headed: a bland, autocratic/authoritarian series that incorporates the existing FIA structure in a uniform, dull and controlled offering.