Ferrari slams quality of new teams

[knightelcid]

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, May 20th 2009, 12:30 GMT
Ferrari has blasted the quality of entries being lined up to join Formula 1 next year - even going so far as saying the sport would perhaps be better off rebranded as 'Formula GP3'.
Shortly prior to finding out that it had lost its legal bid to prevent the FIA introducing a £40 million voluntary budget cap in F1 for next year, Ferrari vented its frustration at the teams hoping to make the step up to motor racing's premier category.
As AUTOSPORT revealed earlier today, the court case that took place in Paris yesterday revealed the list of teams serious about joining F1 was Wirth Research, Lola, USF1, Epsilon Euskadi, RML, Formtech, Campos and iSport.
These teams, and the FIA, claimed that if Ferrari's legal bid was successful and the entry deadline for 2010 was delayed by an injunction, then they would have little chance of getting things in place to be ready to race next year.
Ferrari has said it is shocked at the entries - and does not believe they are the kind of teams that will enhance F1's image.
"They couldn't almost believe their eyes, the men and women working at Ferrari, when they read the papers this morning and found the names of the teams, declaring that they have the intention to race in Formula 1 in the next year," said a statement issued on Ferrari's website.
"Looking at the list, which leaked yesterday from Paris, you can't find a very famous name, one of those one has to spend 400 Euros per person for a place on the grandstand at a GP (plus the expenses for the journey and the stay) [to see]."
The statement added: "Can a world championship with teams like them - with due respect - have the same value as today's Formula 1, where Ferrari, the big car manufacturers and teams, who created the history of this sport, compete? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call it Formula GP3?"

I agree with Ferrari this time. Year after year this sport is looking less and less, what in my opinion is, the creme of sports racing. Is this the beginning of the end?? Time will tell

[seabassfan]

I've seen races in which iSport and Campos have done very well. I don't care what the Ferrari snobs like or dislike- sometimes you have to let teams graduate from the lower ranks in order for them to advance. What's Ferrari (and any others) afraid of- that an established team might move up and actually do well in F1, thus adding to the F1 fan base with loyalty to one team? Wow- that would be novel, wouldn't it?! You've got to remember something- when Juan Pablo Montoya was in F1, good or bad, he (was) the attraction. When the U.S. Grand Prix was run at Indianapolis, 60% of the fans were for JPM with most of them coming from Colombia and South America- where I know they don't have an income level equal to the U.S. So let these teams come in- the ones that can't handle F1 will back out. In the 60's and 70's there were up to 14 teams rading in GPs. Besides- if someone needs some extra interest right now- it's Formula 1!

[starlightmuse]

think ferrari dont like losing myself sure they wont walk

[susieq]

Alonso feels the same way as Ferrari and may retire as he says F1 would not be the same if we lose the big names and he does not want to drive for a lesser team.
I think a some other drivers may leave too.

[falconcobra]

there arnt that many big names left in F1, the Manufacturers cant afford be waste money anymore, Ferrari can say what they like, they dont have to foot their own bill, Fiat/Malboro do.

[knightelcid]

If it only was one team threatening to leave then I think it wouldn't matter much but when there are several times thinking the same way as Ferrari then that's when there is a problem. If Ferrari, Red Bull, BMW, Toyota and a couple more teams leave then the top 6 to 7 drivers will leave too. Do I think is going to happen?? well no, I don't think so but in the other hand I don't think they are bluffing either.