The 6 man midfield battle was great racing. Lewis and Leclerc fighting through turns 1-2-3 was great racing. I think these regs have potential, and I like this more than DRS personally.
That being said it's true that qualifying is absolutely atrocious now and just not fun to watch. Qualy has been a highlight these past few years and I really enjoy it generally, but this season has just not been enjoyable.
But if I have to choose between qualy and race I would take a more entertaining race any day of the week. But even then I have some hope that a solution can be found that addresses the problems with qualy.
Also, on the subject of "artificiality": F1 has always been artificial. DRS was artificial. Tyre degradation is artificial. Pitstops are artificial, requiring multiple tyre compounds are artificial, refuelling was artificial. There are probably more things in forgetting off the top of my head.
It is what it is.