The difference in the sound of cars from the same team has been discussed many times, and in most cases, the difference is explained by different car settings and driver preferences. I also noticed a pronounced whistle from Norris's onboard, but I don't consider this evidence of a decisive difference in the cars' technical characteristics. But I heard an opinion that the last updates of the season, which McLaren brought in at rounds 7-9 before the end of the championship, introduced decisive changes that were much more suitable for Norris, Piastri's weeks. I agree that favoritism for brit is evident, it's obvious, but I don't believe that the team is sabotaging Piastri, preventing him from revealing his talent, especially that they have different cars. Piastri would never agree with old details. And if one driver have a new front wing/brakes/suspension or anything, but his partner is not, the team explain it immediately after the mandatory registration of any changes in it's cars between races.
FIA and F1 owners are political, profit-oriented and likely corrupted institutions. I agree Briatore needed to be banned from racing business for life after what he did.
Behind the scenes, a lot of what could be called match-fixing happens, whether for the sake of high ratings, spectacle, or drama. But in this particular case, even though I like the calm Oscar more than the whiny Lando, I see no reason to consider Formula 1 a failing sport. You say you stopped watching it in favor of F2, but you still watch. It seems to me that in recent years, with Max becoming king, the championship has become much more interesting and the intrigue has increased exponentially. Even if it's partly artificial, I don't care. I think it's long been clear that in Formula 1, you can't be a nobody; you can't win races only on pure talent. It's long been a sport for billionaires, allowed into which the children of millionaires are allowed, who are expected to be able to elbow each other and weave intrigues from the very childhood.
In any case, time will put everything in its place. Thanks for the interesting opinion!
