INITIATES here to Formula One racing would be more fascinated than appalled by the disclosure that Singapore's debut race last year in the world championship was won through an act of cheating.

They know enough about the event's management to understand that Singapore provided only the setting and organisational support as a contracted host.

It had no say in the running of the race, which is governed by arcane rules and conventions.

None of the Singaporean personnel engaged in the organisation could have been privy to the conspiracy to fix the race, won by Fernando Alonso of the Renault team.

But fans would also hope that no odium, even peripherally, would stick to Singapore's name because of the unprecedented rigging.

The fines, expulsions, lawsuits and prosecutions that could flow from the adjudication by the FIA, the sport's world governing body, are of a different order.

They could convulse F1 in a manner unknown. F1 could be in for a shake-up over sponsorship, hosting and race management. That may influence nations' involvement.

Should Singapore continue its association with a tarnished brand?

For now, there is no reason to cease until the hosting contract is up, unless disturbing disclosures emerge that will require reconsideration.

Of the 17 races in the championship, was the Singapore Grand Prix targeted for the fix?

Knowing the truth would give an insight into the secret world of F1.

Might support dwindle when car manufacturers and fans are uncertain whether cars and drivers are left to perform on their merits?

Unlikely, as F1 is a premium marketing vehicle plus high-octane entertainment.

The shriller the engine noise and the stronger the scent of fuel in the nostrils, the higher the pulse rate.

But Singaporeans would not be quiet about what tragedy the staged crash at the Marina Bay night race last year might have resulted in.

Spectator safety on a street circuit is an issue which the FIA must address anew.

Renault, the French manufacturer's team, has said it would not contest the allegation that one of its drivers, Nelson Piquet Jr, deliberately crashed his car against a barrier to improve his teammate Alonso's chances.

Alonso's come-from-behind win was so much against the grain, especially in a street race where overtaking was difficult, that race officials would have smelt a rat. Why has a cheat's act burst into the open a week before the second running of the Singapore GP?

There is little likelihood of a repeat performance in another F1 race after this scandal.

But cheating can be executed in many forms when technology is added to the brew of big money and big egos.

If the FIA cannot stop the shenanigans, of whatever construction, the sport will decline.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.