Editorial: F1 gets a new and exhilarating lease of life

Yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix crowns a season that has revived Formula One after years in which it seemed doomed to decline. Not only was this year's championship decided by the last race – and in the last laps of that race, rekindling an excitement that had seemed long gone – but the season saw the return of a US Grand Prix at a brand-new circuit in Texas, a more plausible venue somehow than those in the US tried hitherto. Meanwhile, the new New World hosts prompted some salutary questions about racing and politics, in the Gulf and elsewhere, which is no bad thing.

The number of those with an interest – declared or not – in buying Formula One shows that motor-racing is again a desirable property. Enthusiasts will look forward to more of the same next year. By the way, Button won the race, and Vettel the championship, but that almost seemed beside the point.