I can see zako's pov, for his own interest. But I suspect he's only meaning as far as the race at the front is concerned. In this context, he might even be satisfied with a little as 6 cars then. It hard to articulate, but there's just something not right about F1 having a small field. There are too numerous to mention, maybe even some I can't think of, but here's some anyway.

Leading drivers making their way through backmarkers is not a "skill" as such. But there is a knack to it, which highlights driver's abilities, or shows a strength. Being a good river is not all about what happens in qualifying. Which to some, seems like the be all, end all of a driver's ability.

It adds value to finishing postions. It used to be a big moment for a smaller team to get at least a point.

It creates a bridging level, between classes like GP2, FR3.5 and so on. It's all very well leading runners, title winners in the smaller classes, getting a drive in a bigger team. But some could benefit from a year or two, or there, from running at the rear of F1, before they become a "complete" driver.

With smaller fields, it creates an appearance that it's not a serious, genuine competition, or that it's not really that big of a deal. I see this happening with the view of race fans here about Bathurst. As good as the finish might've been this year. A growing number of fans here see it becoming less and less of a significant race, due to there being 25 cars racing. Compare that to the 50+ the B12h will get, that race is starting to gain a presence here. Similar can happen with F1 over time.

It's not all about what's happening at the front.