Recently the FIA (the worldwide governing body for all motorsports) took the unprecedented step of posting a survey on its Web site asking Formula One fans what they like about the sport. We'll get to the results in a second but the survey itself was interesting because it didn't ask fans what they didn't like, nor did it offer any opportunities to write-in responses. Instead, it was a carefully crafted attempt to gauge the fans' reactions to possible future directions for F1 racing.

About 93,000 fans from 81 countries filled out the survey -- an enormous number. Max Mosely said he'll take the input into consideration when formulating the rules for next year and beyond. Good idea, Max.

Not surprisingly, fans rated driver competition as the #1 thing that excites them about F1. The races, they seemed to say, should be all about finding and showcasing the world's best drivers. Technology should take a back seat.

I have to say I agree with that, as far as it goes. Formula 1 racing (or most any racing) should be about the drivers, not the engineers. I do think an all-out technology competition would be pretty cool, but it wouldn't be motorsport as we know it. More of an engineering competiton.

If the survey results are any indication, F1 cars may soon get downgraded to lower tech levels. Traction control and antilock brakes are already banned; sequential gearboxes and hand clutches may be next. There was no talk about telemetry or data acquisition, but I wouldn't be surprised to see those limited as well.

I find myself sitting on the fence on all this. I like the head-to-head driver competition as much as the next guy, but I also like to see the F1 constructors try to outdo each other. And some of that advanced technology really does wind up in road cars. Already BMW, Toyota (i.e., Lexus), Maserati, and others offer F1-style paddle gear shifts. It'd be ironic if those were offered on Buicks but not screaming F1 machines.

There aren't any easy answers here. Everyone enjoys racing for different reasons. The only thing for sure is that Formula One next year will -- once again -- be different than it was last year.