With due deference to Professor Stephen Hawking, it's time, I think, for a Brief History of Formula 1.

Imagine an F1 world in which the teams dealt race-by-race with the circuit organisers - individually and on their own terms. Enzo Ferrari would tease the organisers of, say, the US GP into paying him x-amount in starting money for two or three cars and would race - or not - depending on the loot. Nothing was certain - particularly when it came to the presence of the Prancing Horse. Maranello quickly evolved into a sort of James Dean-ish here today/gone tomorrow race team of legendary stature. The spell was cast.

And picture an F1 in which you could buy just about any racing car you like - from an old BRM to a new Lotus, Brabham or Ferrari - and go racing when and as you choose. Three races only? No problem. One-car team? Go ahead: enter five cars if you like (as BRM did in 1972).