Formula 1 is a breeding ground for scandal

Well, who could have guessed it? So the world of Formula 1 isn’t a clean-living sanctuary of good behaviour that makes a Convocation of Bishops look like the court of Caligula. Here’s a slice of F1 life: a prominent motor-racing executive walks into a room of pretty young marketing girls: ‘What’s the difference between an erection and a Ferrari?’ he asks. ‘I don’t have a Ferrari.’ Followers of the latest Formula 1: Drive to Survive series on Netflix – featuring some of the least likeable people on the planet – will have enjoyed the Wildean exchanges when Lance Stroll, the Canadian driver for Aston Martin, returns to racing after breaking his wrist in a cycling accident. ‘Can you wank yet?’ asks one of his colleagues.

So if anyone is surprised by the scandal sweeping through the interminably successful Red Bull team, they should really get out more.