Those who can, can’t necessarily afford to…

A sad tale of the cynicism of sports marketing has come to the Diary’s attention from would-be motor racing champ Gideon Cresswell.

Cresswell dreams of emulating Jenson Button and taking on the world’s best. He has been given a chance to drive in the Formula Palmer Audi series – two classes below F1.

The snag is, Cresswell needs to raise &£85,000 to compete. He writes: “I’m at a point in my career where money means more than ability.”

It’s a shame this country’s talent is still going to waste while sporting bodies rake in the cash. Cresswell must be driven to distraction by having the skids put under him.