Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Formula One and cricket have very little in common. But the old saying 'anything can happen in Grand Prix racing, and it usually does' seems to be coming true in case of cricket too.
Let's take Formula One first. With just a few days left for a new season to begin, the racing world seems to be in turmoil. The governing body has already done a U-turn in case of one rule (with regard to the driver's title) while another (involving aerodynamics) more explosive one is threatening to take the sport from the race circuit to the courtroom.
The 'most wins' rule has already been widely criticised left, right and centre. The most successful driver in Formula One Michael Schumacher has termed it 'senseless' while the youngest champion Lewis Hamilton feels it's a 'shame'. Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo on the other hand uses the words 'absurd and dangerous' to describe it.
The rule may have been put on the backburner for now, but the debate will rage on and it's still not clear if the teams will go all out for a victory or play it safe and steady as another long and recession-ridden season looms ahead.
The other rule change is not so simple, however, simply because it is typical Formula One conundrum. It involves the rear diffuser which is part of the undertray that controls the way air exits beneath the car.
It's a vital piece of equipment no doubt - designed to encourage overtaking by reducing the amount of turbulent air for the cars behind - but open to varied interpretation.
Three teams - Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams - have already sparked a row with canny designs that lengthen the size of the diffuser so cunningly that it can be considered an extension without effectively being part of the diffuser.
What is making the whole issue all the more complicated is the fact that even the governing body is not sure of the rules. Take FIA chief Max Mosley for example. Here's what he's saying.
"It's a very clever device and you can make a very good case for saying that it's legal and a very good case for saying that it's illegal. It's going to be difficult." That's mental gymnastics indeed or a mental toothache as medical fiction writer Robin Cook would have put it.
If you believe the devil is in the detail, Formula One is your sport.
Coming to cricket. The Indian Premier League has been forced to move out of India due to security reasons. This at a time when Formula One is trying to power its way into India.
The ring masters Bernie Ecclestone and Lalit Modi certainly have something in common to discuss in case they bump into each other in the process of trying to salvage their respective pride and sport.
To lighten up the mood here's something I came across recently which makes fascinating reading. It involves our very own Swiss-born Bahraini resident Sebastien Buemi who will be making his Formula One debut for Toro Rosso in the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
I believe he's started to keep a diary to record this major event of his life for posterity. Here's an excerpt:
"It's going to be a long flight to Melbourne, but I don't mind, I have plenty to read on the plane, including the 325 interviews I have given to Swiss magazines and newspapers since I was confirmed as a Toro Rosso driver. There are some other drivers and team bosses at the airport when I check in, but I don't see them after we go through passport control. I head off to the shops and they follow signs to another gate, although I have never heard of an airline called 'VIP'.
"No, I was wrong, they are on the same flight, but once again I don't see them on the plane. They all disappear through a curtain. I feel sorry for them, as I am lucky enough to sit near the back of the plane with the rest of my team. I get a middle seat, which is neat, as I can talk to two people either side of me. And it's handy for the toilets too.
"Halfway through the flight, I am feeling rather hungry and have an upset tummy from eating too much fruit, but there is nothing else on the menu that my trainer told me I'm allowed to eat. Maybe next time I should use a Japanese airline as they are more likely to serve Tofu and raw bean shoots. The other F1 people seem to like drinking wine. I think they are sad to be leaving their families after spending a lovely winter with them and are drinking to forget their sadness at having to be away for about a month for the first four races."
Tongue-in-cheek indeed and I was impressed by Buemi's informal style. I even bookmarked the website.
Unfortunately it's of no use now. Because I have just been informed that Buemi has nothing to do with the diary and it was all part of a PR exercise.
No wonder Formula One is fondly referred to as a circus.
