Parity in F1?

[JohnSSC]

There is a difference between "dumbing down" and being sensible.

Any series where you are spending $200 million per season just to have a chance to be halfway competitive is in serious trouble. I mean, are these teams spending it because they can or is it really necessary?

Additionally if Minardi spends $30 million and Ferrari $300 million, shouldn't Minardi be more than 4.5 seconds slower? I mean, ten times the outlay should buy me more than a 4 second per lap gap! I wonder how much is really spent on the cars.

Maybe I am ahead of my time or completely off base, but I cannot understand how no one else seems to think that this level of spending is not some sort of problem. There has to be a median level somewhere that would allow competition, innovation and easier access for new teams without having to somehow come up with $200 million plus to do it.