FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[myownalias]

Taken from the forumula1 home page: http://www.forumula1.com/2010/f1/f1-new ... rrassment/

FOM Chairman Bernie Ecclestone has attacked the new entrants to F1 for this season, saying that they have been an ‘embarrasment’.

The Englishman, who turned 80 last week, showed no sign of mellowing in his old age as he turned his ire on the rookies in the Financial Times.

“They do nothing for us,” the recently-turned 80-year-old told the Financial Times. “They are an embarrassment. We need to get rid of a few of those cripples.”

He went on to propose a solution for Virgin Racing, whose owner Richard Branson has not yet invested perhaps what he might have done.

“Richard should put some money in there (Virgin), shouldn’t he? He could do what (Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz) has done and put some money in.”

What does the coffin dodger expect from the brand new teams? if he wanted them to perform better, maybe he should have put up $100m of his own money to help the teams develop or buy better components to improve their race pace; I get increasingly annoyed by Ecclestone's comments, it's time for him to step down. The new teams have done reasonably well this season given that they didn't have much time to develop a car to appear on the gird in Bahrain and two of the teams have made big efforts to improve for next season with Lotus buying Renault engines and hydraulics from Red Bull and HRT reportedly buying Toyota's 2010 chassis to base their 2011 car on.

[vaptin]

Strange, he really should be blaming Max, who choose new teams prepared to take on Cosworth engines and also set the criteria at that 40 million pound a year (I think) budget. They aren't adding much to f1 now, but give them time at least. Branson won't invest money as he doubts he can get a return on it, f1's tough, you can't do the spend big, get big rewards model, they have to budget.

I get annoyed at the likes of torro Rosso who don't seem to be trying, let alone going anywhere. Their not even a real racing team IMO, just redbulls second team to get drivers in.

[Denthúl]

You know, Bernie is a far bigger embarrassment...

The new teams (well, all right, Lotus and Virgin) have done exceptionally well, considering they had to design and build their car in less than a year on a much-reduced budget in comparison to the bigger teams. Given that they are relatively inexperienced, have less funds and have cars that weren't developed to the same level as those of the bigger teams, the fact that the gap from first to last is only five or so seconds is quite remarkable. Bernie should wait a few years before spouting his nonsense.

[ivey]

I could only imagine that he labels HRT as an embarrassment, but Virgin and especially Lotus has done extremely well over the year, I guess next year Lotus can become a big threat for Toro Rosso

[Denthúl]

I could only imagine that he labels HRT as an embarrassment, but Virgin and especially Lotus has done extremely well over the year, I guess next year Lotus can become a big threat for Toro Rosso

With a Renault engine and a technical deal with Red Bull that is similar to the Force India/McLaren partnership, they could well make a huge jump forward. Just look at the kind of form Force India showed throughout 2009 and early 2010.

[vaptin]

I could only imagine that he labels HRT as an embarrassment, but Virgin and especially Lotus has done extremely well over the year, I guess next year Lotus can become a big threat for Toro Rosso

With a Renault engine and a technical deal with Red Bull that is similar to the Force India/McLaren partnership, they could well make a huge jump forward. Just look at the kind of form Force India showed throughout 2009 and early 2010.

Yeah, and Renault also stole those engineers from Force India as well

[stonemonkey]

We need to get rid of a few of those cripples

He's full of good advice.

[Big Azza]

The fact that these new teams had to turn up to the grid at Bahrain, with no testing, and with absolutely no support from the FIA or Mr. Ecclestone himself was the stupid thing. In the past new teams would have had a lot more support. To just accept their money and leave them for dead was stupid.

Next year, HRT will still be at the back methinks. Lotus should get a few points finishes, it's Virgin that are the big unknown. Branson has every right to keep his money in his pocket. Why waste money when the car for this year is a dud anyway? Wait for next year.

We need to get rid of a few of those cripples

He's full of good advice.

[myownalias]

I could only imagine that he labels HRT as an embarrassment, but Virgin and especially Lotus has done extremely well over the year, I guess next year Lotus can become a big threat for Toro Rosso

With a Renault engine and a technical deal with Red Bull that is similar to the Force India/McLaren partnership, they could well make a huge jump forward. Just look at the kind of form Force India showed throughout 2009 and early 2010.

Not to mention that Lotus poached most of the key people that pushed Force India forward so I expect Lotus to make a reasonable jump into midfield!

[Flux]

only HRT are close to being labled that, but i think Lotus especially have been brilliant and have pulled in a hell of alot for formula one

[texasmr2]

You know, Bernie is a far bigger embarrassment...

The new teams (well, all right, Lotus and Virgin) have done exceptionally well, considering they had to design and build their car in less than a year on a much-reduced budget in comparison to the bigger teams. Given that they are relatively inexperienced, have less funds and have cars that weren't developed to the same level as those of the bigger teams, the fact that the gap from first to last is only five or so seconds is quite remarkable. Bernie should wait a few years before spouting his nonsense.

I totally agree and if the stupid no testing ban was lifted I'm quite certain Bernie would have to eat his words.

[nish2280]

The new teams should have had bigger budgets and Bernie should have done his marketing magic to help them get sponsors.

If anything, he should have forced existing teams to share technology, resulting in profit for existing teams and good parts for the new ones.

[Robert12010]

i agree with myownlilas that the comments that bernie are unfair, yes the new teams might have a struggle at first, BUT bernie, lotus are a very professional outfit and virgin + HRT given time i think may get there too!, plus MR ECCLESTONE REMEMBER RED BULL, a small midfield outfit to championship contenders in a few seasons... please bernie just remember to think before you say something in future!

[myownalias]

If anything, he should have forced existing teams to share technology, resulting in profit for existing teams and good parts for the new ones.

I thought that was supposed to be the case; existing teams helping the new teams out to get upto speed? that was the noises being made pre-season if I remember correctly!

[Jabberwocky]

You have to think that the teams have turned up this year with no set up information that I am sure that the other teams have buckets on info from previous years. I dont think that Virgin or Lotus have done that bad a job really. Look at BAR when they pitched up!!!!