[Trans-Am Jim]

IMHO (FWIW)

Racing has always had, and, I believe, will always need at least one arena where technology can be implemented regardless of cost. For the time being, that arena is F1. To balance rampant technology and the quality of racing is one of the many problems of the rulesmakers, and F1 seems to be doing a better job of it this year than in the past few.
I have had the great fortune for the past 3 years to be chosen as a US delegate to work with the FIA technical scrutineers at the USGP in Indianapolis. These cars, beyond being technical marvels, are (IMHO) the finest representations of functional art you could imagine.
To watch the in-car footage on SPEED of a lap at any of the F1 courses and say that they drive themselves and the drivers are not a significant part of the overall package is just foolish, iff'n you ask me!
And, I like and watch NASCAR, too. It's just a different form of racing, that's all! Enjoy the differences and don't try to compare the two.