It s just plain time to have an independent sanctioning body. It s a major conflict of interest, and it needs to be changed. These fans could be picked through contests, nominations, and applications. They would be paid a good salary and attend all events. The drivers don t do drugs or drink and drive.
Tradition plays a big part, but so do the demands of big money sponsors.
This is the dream of every race fan, but it could also turn into an out of control nightmare. It should be able to be critical of the sport and tackle the tough issues. It s in their interest to keep the coverage exciting, but they also need to be able to tackle the controversial issues without fear of prosecution. Sports is a mix of entertainment and news, but if the news isn t unencumbered, the sport isn t real. In many ways, they are absolutely correct.