I’ve just watched what could be described as the US Formula 1 Grand Prix but would be more accurately be described as a farce.

Having just ordered tickets in the last week to go to my first Grand Prix, my heart sank as I watched fourteen of the twenty cars peel into the pit lane at the end of the parade lap. The situation in Indianapolis was entirely avoidable.

However, as sympathetic as I am to the fans’ bitter disappointment, there really was no excuse for the abuse that the remaining six drivers received. I don’t know whether I would have remained seated to watch the ‘race’, but the guys out on the track on the day were not the ones at fault. I felt sorry for them; particularly Tiago Monteiro, who gained his first Formula 1 podium, but couldn’t really celebrate it.

Very sad.