BAR Honda's CEO envisages new technologies that could transform Formula One, to keep up with the new realities of today and tomorrow: "Maybe Formula One in five years' time or more should have a special formula for hybrid vehicles. If in 10 years' time because of environmental reasons the key thing of interest to road car customers is a hybrid formula I don't see why Formula One shouldn't migrate in that direction.

"It should be a mirror of what is happening in the real world. It shouldn't be an island," added Fry. "We might have Formula One develop into something with two classes within it. The final migration point might be something completely different. My personal feeling is that it should be something different. It should move with the times."

By contrast, Fry is not in favour of reducing the cutting-edge technology associated with Formula One, a sport well-known for its high-tech, sophisticated nature. "Formula One must remain at the pinnacle of motor sports. We do have a concern that the front-running GP2 cars could probably be as quick if not quicker than rear-of-the-grid F1 [cars]. We need to make sure F1 is a formula for heroes," concluded Nick Fry.