an entirely remote controlled (as opposed to autonomous) car race could be fun to watch - can go much faster, risks of huge crashes are acceptable (or desirable...)

I actually think that would be extremely difficult. I think that such cars -- even with less restrictions -- would actually be slower than F1 cars around the same track.

My theory is that so much of driving (especially at the F1 level) is about feeling what's going on. That just doesn't translate to a remote control.

E.g. the Robert Downey Jr movie where he controls a fighting robot. Bigger and nastier risks allowed than human boxing.

I still haven't seen that, though...

That's Hugh Jackman, the movie's called "Real Steel". Not to confuse with the Robert Downey Jr. movie series where he controls a fighting robot that he occasionally is inside of.

This is what I get for commenting about movies I haven't seen yet.

I would really be interested to see a self driving car at Le Mans as a Garage 53 Project.

Have you seen the robot soccer competitions?