The dull race came at an unfortunate time for the sport since there had been lots of criticism about the regulations introduced that year. Extra grooves were placed in the front tyres for 1999 and the drivers hated it. Grooved tyres made the cars very nervous and the drivers were not able to push as hard or take as many risks as they used to. There was far less margin for error. The reduced amount of mechanical grip also put more emphasis on aerodynamics and it became very difficult to closely follow a car in front. The narrow cars produced less slipstream so the advantage of tucking in behind someone was diminished. Most of the drivers complained that a lot of the fun had been taken out of F1 and the racing was suffering as a result.

The dreary Spanish Grand prix gave the sport’s critics all the ammunition they needed.

After the GP there were calls from everywhere to spice up the racing. There were all sorts of suggestions such as getting rid of wings and bringing back slicks, ditching refuelling and one corner of the press even put forward the ridiculous idea of overtaking lanes.

None of that would have made a difference though. The depressing reality is that the Spanish Grand Prix was always going to be, and always will be, a boring race. The mix of corners at Barcelona is not conductive to overtaking and the circuit relies heavily on aerodynamics like few other tracks. All of the teams test for thousands of miles around the Catalan layout so there is little hope of someone struggling with set-up. All of the teams can maximise their car’s performance in Spain and it usually results in teammates lining up alongside each other on the same row of the grid.

Thankfully the anti-F1 press gradually died down in 1999, although it looks like we might be in for it again after this year’s Spanish GP.

Flavio Briatore said during the week that Formula One is boring and should adopt a new format to make it more appealing.

Briatore believes that current races are too long and need to be shortened to maintain the level of interest. He reasons that after the second round of stops no one is really interested anymore. Flavio would like to see two shorter races run on the Sunday with a partially reversed grid in the second.

His ideal format closely mimics that of the GP2 championship, of which he happens to be the owner.

There is plenty wrong with Briatore’s suggestions. The first being that a Formula One Grand Prix’s length is what sets it apart from other motorsports. Over the last fifty years 300km has worked out to be the ideal length for a test of driver skill and mechanical reliability. It is the perfect amount of time for a race to develop, and anything shorter would put less emphasis on endurance and give less time for a hard fought battle.

Reverse grids are simply ludicrous. The fastest driver in the fastest car should not be finishing eighth because he was forced to start midfield. No one should be penalised for success in Grand Prix Racing.

The Flavio Formula may very well be exciting, but it wouldn't be Formula One.

Grand Prix racing is a sport before it is anything else. It is great when the competition is enthralling but entertainment should not be the main focus of F1, or any sport for that matter. Formula One is all about having the biggest car companies pushing the limits of automotive engineering, and handing their crafted machinery to the best drivers in the world to steer. Watching most skilled engineers and the most skilled drivers going head to head for supremacy is one of the greatest things in motorsport. That is what makes Formula One exciting. It does not need artificial measures or gimmicks to liven up the spectacle.

No other form of motor racing can compare to F1 in this regard and that’s why lesser championships use other measures to develop popularity. Some series use reverse grids, sprint races, pitstop windows and lottery qualifying to increase their fan base. They do this because they cannot hope to compete with the lure of F1.

Different categories have different appeal. Touring cars produce rough racing, single make series produce close battles, oval racing creates lots of overtaking, and rally driving displays out-and-out bravery.

The attraction to Formula One always has been that it is the best of the best. Fans tune in to watch drivers like Raikkonen in cars like Ferraris battling with guys like Fernando Alonso. It is all about the fastest men in the fastest cars. People want to watch drivers fight for the same championship that Fangio, Clark and Senna fought over.

Formula One doesn't need push-to-pass. It doesn't need pitstop windows or reverse grids. Other categories do because they are not Formula One.

Some regulation changes over the past few years have put more emphasis on the quality of the show. The qualifying format changed in 2003 after a few years of Ferrari domination and when that failed to stop the Schumacher winning machine, long life tyres were introduced for 2005. Along with changes to the points system and more changes to the tyre rules this year, the sport is starting to recognise the entertainment factor.

However, Formula One does not exist to produce exciting races. It exists because it is the highest level of all motorsport.

F1 does not need changing. Yes there will be boring races but there will also be great ones, and it is that unpredictability that makes sport such compelling viewing. Wether its football or F1, you don't know what you’re going to get. The bad races make the good events all the more special.

If Spain does turn into a procession the commentators will likely mention Briatore’s comments. Hopefully when they do they try to sell the product they’ve got because it’s a bloody good one.

The race might be lacklustre but the overall event will be fascinating. There are three drivers at the top of the championship, with a fourth not far behind. Ferrari will be racing with totally new aerodynamic package and McLaren are introducing a radical front wing that no one has tried before. Raikkonen claims to have made a major set-up breakthrough and is ready to win like he did in Melbourne. Hamilton has also said he is ready to win and there is plenty of hype around Alonso at his home event. Massa drove brilliantly in Bahrain and will be looking to repeat that performance so he can catch the guys ahead of him on the table.

All of the teams tested at Barcelona during the week. The circuit contains every type of corner, so the quickest car here will be one of the quickest cars anywhere. Ferrari and McLaren will be hoping it’s theirs.

Even ignoring the leading two teams there will be plenty of intrigue throughout the field. Honda and Renault are struggling, BMW and Williams are on the up, and Red Bull will be praying for some reliability to maximise their car’s true potential.

Everyone out there has different motivations this weekend and regardless of what’s pushing them, all of the drivers, mechanics, and technical boffins will be giving their all to succeed. That’s why they are the best. That’s why I want to watch them.

Formula One is the pinnacle of all motor racing, and that alone is why it remains so enjoyable. Don’t let Flavio or anyone else tell you otherwise.