I don't disagree, but it is a matter of a general statement not specifically looking at individual teams or years, I am going back to before and including all of the years from 2000.
As the sport is now flooded with money, the scene is just more grey than it has ever been, so it is difficult to see into the muddy waters of greed and corruption.
Alonso, that was another soap opera with him and Lewis fighting behind the scenes for driver seat dominance, when Lewis was clearly favored by the totally narcissistic Ron.
Your point about Mercedes is in my view somewhat different in that a major manufacture having its tentacles reaching into all aspects of F1.
As opposed to a well-funded team like Benetton in the 1990s with its soap opera being more upfront and just mainly team-based.
There are a few exceptional drivers, well many maybe, who knows the real truth behind much of what goes on in this world.
What ends up in the media is what the media wants to be seen in the media, the truth has very little to do with our PR world, or life in general really, come to think of it they really don't care how farcical it is because they have all the upfront power. what are you going to do about it anyway attitude?
I am not saying it has not always been the case, it is now in 2020 got to the point of the king with no clothes, obvious farse.
Love Simracing, and really respect the "many" that are quicker than me, because it is by hard work and a gift carried out on a level playing field.
The end.