It is an unwritten rule of sports that however fierce the competition is, adversaries should be able to shake hands and show respect for each other. Well, we are lucky. Within the last three days, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber dominated the British GP in Silverstone at the wheel of the modified Adrian Newey Red Bull, and shook hands after an intense, high speed battle; likewise, in Paris, Place de la Concorde, FOTA and FIA were able to bury the war hatchet, shaking hands as well, at least symbolically. No doubt some egos are badly bruised, but this is the essence of sports, and life: a diehard competition where the strongest win and the others better learn to live with it.

"If you are blessed with talent, then work hard and never give up". Jenson Button has to be a perfect example of this, and his outstanding drive on the difficult Istanbul Park circuit comes as another well deserved reward for the Englishman. No wonder he's smiling all the time! Having said that, the low number of spectators around the Turkish race track (not to mention the Paddock Club count...) came as yet another reminder that Formula One is in trouble, and has to find perennial solutions in order to secure its survival. Menacing black clouds have gathered, and are surrounding the F1 circus; common sense simply must prevail, and this is not the time for overblown egos to get in the way of the indispensable aggiornamento that will define F1 for years to come.

It is always funny to see how a new game is something very difficult to accept for most people. The old scenario is something reassuring, it seems, and new paradigms based on power shifts are fiercely opposed. Formula 1, being as always a microcosm of the larger world, is currently giving us two examples of this: the rise and dominance of Jenson Button and the Brawn team, where race after race each victory is seen by many as "lucky", for one reason or another; and the massive change that is taking place in the high spheres of F1 governance, where the rules of dominance are being reshuffled as if Formula One were at the crossroads of several tectonic plates being irrevocably torn apart. Let us hope that the true spirit of racing prevails, instead of crystallized power games, setting an example of well needed sportsmanship for all to see.