The next time someone tries persuading you that F1 -- or motor racing, for that matter -- is no big deal (and I've run across that argument too many times) here's a TSN statistic guaranteed to send him or her back to their half-empty Bud glass.

In 2005 the third most-watched sporting event in the world was the Canadian grand prix, with 53-million viewers. For the record, Super Bowl XXXIX was watched by 93-million people and the UEFA Cup soccer final was viewed by 73-million fans.

Note that I said "in the world." With all due respect to the Super Bowl, which I watch simply because there's nothing else to do on a cold January Sunday, it's as much circus as football game and anyway, most of those viewers are North Americans. The rest of the world doesn't give a hoot. To be fair, I suspect the UEFA Cup audience is predominantly European. And no, I'm not displaying prejudice because I happen to be a Canadian. I played football in my teens and still enjoy it on TV although I think our 3-down version is faster and more fun. By the way, the game was invented here. But I'm getting off subject. Which is that, after soccer, F1 racing tallies more TV viewer numbers than any other sport.

There's a reason why the winner is called "world champion driver," and that's because he races on a variety of road circuits from China to Italy to Canada and several stops between. And because F1 cars are the most sophisticated (and most expensive) of all racing machines. And because, with only 22 seats available, he's got to be very, very good to get a ride. Just ask NASCAR's Jeff Gordon what he'd like to do most.