Kate Wagner (from McMansion Hell) on the Opulence of F1

In an age where the lords of modern capitalism are as elusive as they are affluent, a journalist more accustomed to the rugged terrains of cycling and the down-to-earth vibes of NASCAR finds themselves amid the opulence of Formula 1 racing. Here, amidst the high-octane glamour and the secluded elite, the narrative shifts from pedal bikes to paddle shifts, where the whiff of petrochemical sponsorships looms as heavy as the scent of champagne. The dichotomy couldn't be starker; from scrappy beginnings and modest living to rubbing shoulders with billionaires and the allure of luxury's lap. Yet, beneath the shimmer and the sheen of F1's velvet curtain lies a realm familiar in spirit yet foreign in flesh. Our protagonist, on a sponsored sojourn courtesy of a petrochemical giant, navigates this new world with a blend of awe and skepticism, a firsthand glimpse into the spectacle of speed where the feudal hierarchy of wealth and power parades in the guise of sport. Through the cacophony of engines and the spectacle of speed, the journey transcends mere sport, morphing into a meditation on inequality, the ethics of journalism, and the elusive quest for authenticity in a world that's constantly racing ahead.

If you wanted to turn someone into a socialist you could do it in about an hour by taking them for a spin around the paddock of a Formula 1 race. The kind of money I saw will haunt me forever.

Kate Wagner (from McMansion Hell) was sent to an F1 race by Road & Track. What was Road & Track thinking when they green-lit sending a socialist to one of the most over-the-top celebrations of celebrity, glamour, wealth, and greed on the planet? What in the hell did they think was going to happen?

The resulting article was published and then, unsurprisingly, vanished. (Archived here!). It's worth a read.