The monkeys have spoken out, and told the organ grinder(s) to change the tune. Dancing to the schizophrenic mix of notes that makes up current Formula One is akin to attempting a waltz to gabba -- disjointed, illogical, and as little fun for the active participants as it is for the observers.
According to the open letter published by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association this week, "the drivers have come to the conclusion that the decision-making process in the sport is obsolete and ill-structured and prevents progress being made. Indeed, it can sometimes lead to just the opposite, a gridlock. This reflects negatively on our sport, prevents it being fit for the next generation of fans and compromises further global growth."
The GPDA letter has received intense exposure in the press both mainstream and specialist, for it marks the first time that the drivers have spoken out en masse to query the long-term health of the sport that provides each and every one of them with a livelihood.
More than that, however, given that the content of the GPDA's missive matches exactly the criticisms of the sport that the media have issued since the formation of the F1 Strategy Group, this "preaching to the choir" represents the first time in years that the press have felt validated in their criticisms of Formula One in recent years.
When the F1 Strategy Group was first mooted, certain of the more politically astute members of the F1 press corps warned that Formula One was heading down a road of regulations determined by self-interest and horse-trading, of regulatory inefficiency and possible gridlock. At the time, we were pilloried by many of the sport's key stakeholders for being negative, for using our outlets to bring down the sport that put roofs over our heads and food in our mouths.
Red Bull's Christian Horner was quick to blame the F1 media for many of the sport's ills back in July of 2014, while Lotus' Matthew Carter joined the fray at last year's British Grand Prix, going so far as to blame the media for comments made by Bernie Ecclestone rubbishing the sport. 'If it ain't positive, don't cover it' was the message we were supposed to receive.
But even those who have blamed the press for reporting on the sport's ills will have no choice but to listen - or pretend to listen, at least - now that the drivers have spoken out.
The only people who don't think Formula One is broken -- or bruised, at a minimum -- these days are those responsible for introducing the regulatory process that has been the source of so many of our current ills. The fans and media have been saying it for years, as have those teams without seats at the strategic round table. Only those responsible for creating the current state of affairs have refused to see the storm clouds brewing on the horizon.
There are certain aspects to F1's current struggles that are far beyond the sport's control -- the global financial crisis that saw the 2009 manufacturer exodus, the changing laws around tobacco sponsorship that hit team bank balances hard, the increased competition for sponsors from other sports with a better digital presence (and a resultant global reach).
But where F1 has failed in recent years is to adapt to these changes despite a bevy of Cassandras prophesying imminent doom if we ignored the auguries. The portents have been clear to see since the middle of the last decade, yet F1's key stakeholders have persisted in covering their ears and shutting their eyes, singing 'lalala I can't hear you' all the way to the rapidly emptying bank.
Formula One needs a digital strategy. Formula One needs to reach out to a new generation of fans. Formula One needs to find a way to reshape itself -- perhaps simply remarket itself -- to ensure that the sport remains the pinnacle of high-speed competition in the eyes of the general public.
Now that the drivers have added their collective voices to the chorus of those calling for change, perhaps those in charge will finally decide that criticism can be constructive.