Mr Formula One

FOR Americans, motor racing means big muscle cars belting around small, banked circuits of more or less regular shape--or IndyCar racing. For the rest of the world, it is the 17-race Formula One series. Until comparatively recently, Formula One was a rather arcane circus of enthusiasts, aristocrats and assorted beautiful people that wandered across five continents from one isolated, out-of-town race track to another. Europe and Latin America, the homes of Enzo Ferrari and Juan Fangio, were its strongholds. The sport's original rules were set by Britain's Royal Automobile Club.