I'm guessing that if you could graph Bernie's controversial statements (macro level)against a graph of interest in F1 (micro level), you'd see that whenever interest is waning (between races, middle of off-season, any slow news period) Bernie uncorks one of these statements that leads to lots of emotional comments, mostly without any point.
Every F1 driver is faster than any of us can even imagine. And braver, and in better physiccal condition, and with better hand-eye coordination, etc, etc, etc.