Joined Feb 2007
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Rovrum S,Yorks Eng
Desparate times for a desperate sport.Envy the green eyed monster
Webber blasts 'embarrassing' Formula One
ROBERT GRANT
March 3, 2010 - 4:34PM
AAP
Australia's Mark Webber has described the chaotic scramble of new teams to join the Formula One grid this year as "Mickey Mouse".
Of the new outfits trying to squeeze into pit lane, at least one has reportedly gone out of business before it started, one has changed its name and confusion surrounds the drivers of others.
Webber says the instability of the grid line-up for this season makes the elite series look amateurish and fans need more entertainment rather than uncompetitive new teams.
"It's embarrassing," Webber said. "It's incredible that people who haven't yet turned a wheel take part in grands prix.
"It's the sort of stuff from Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry.
"It would make more sense to field (MotoGP champion) Valentino Rossi with his bike on the grid."
Rossi has long been viewed as one of motorsport's most talented and humorous characters - always producing an elaborate stunt or outfit after a victory - and is the sort of personality F1 badly needs, according to Webber, who might just imitate the Italian this season.
"He is great, F1 needs a character like him. For my first victory of 2010 I will do something for the fans: it won't be as brilliant Rossi-style, but enough to thank them," a confident Webber said.
Four new F1 teams - Virgin, Lotus, Campos and USF1 - are trying to get cars onto the grid with the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix less than two weeks away.
USF1's hopes appear to be over, with Autosport magazine claiming a high-level source reports the outfit has now effectively closed down.
The American team has been struggling to get a car ready for the start of the season but the source says team personnel have now been informed they are no longer required.
Another potential team, Stefan GP, backed by Serbian engineering company AMCO and named after team principal Zoran Stefanovic, remains optimistic of securing a spot on the grid.
It does not have an official entry but has a car developed from Toyota's 2010 car and has announced drivers.
The team was forced to abandon a planned circuit test apparently due to its failure to secure a supply of tyres but is still claiming it will be accepted by the end of this week.
Another hopeful, Campos Meta 1, has already decided to change its name after getting a new owner.
It will now be named Hispania Racing, according to the Spanish newspaper Diario AS, reflecting the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula.
nope you cant have him
Webber blasts 'embarrassing' Formula One
ROBERT GRANT
March 3, 2010 - 4:34PM
AAP
Australia's Mark Webber has described the chaotic scramble of new teams to join the Formula One grid this year as "Mickey Mouse".
Of the new outfits trying to squeeze into pit lane, at least one has reportedly gone out of business before it started, one has changed its name and confusion surrounds the drivers of others.
Webber says the instability of the grid line-up for this season makes the elite series look amateurish and fans need more entertainment rather than uncompetitive new teams.
"It's embarrassing," Webber said. "It's incredible that people who haven't yet turned a wheel take part in grands prix.
"It's the sort of stuff from Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry.
"It would make more sense to field (MotoGP champion) Valentino Rossi with his bike on the grid."
Rossi has long been viewed as one of motorsport's most talented and humorous characters - always producing an elaborate stunt or outfit after a victory - and is the sort of personality F1 badly needs, according to Webber, who might just imitate the Italian this season.
"He is great, F1 needs a character like him. For my first victory of 2010 I will do something for the fans: it won't be as brilliant Rossi-style, but enough to thank them," a confident Webber said.
Four new F1 teams - Virgin, Lotus, Campos and USF1 - are trying to get cars onto the grid with the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix less than two weeks away.
USF1's hopes appear to be over, with Autosport magazine claiming a high-level source reports the outfit has now effectively closed down.
The American team has been struggling to get a car ready for the start of the season but the source says team personnel have now been informed they are no longer required.
Another potential team, Stefan GP, backed by Serbian engineering company AMCO and named after team principal Zoran Stefanovic, remains optimistic of securing a spot on the grid.
It does not have an official entry but has a car developed from Toyota's 2010 car and has announced drivers.
The team was forced to abandon a planned circuit test apparently due to its failure to secure a supply of tyres but is still claiming it will be accepted by the end of this week.
Another hopeful, Campos Meta 1, has already decided to change its name after getting a new owner.
It will now be named Hispania Racing, according to the Spanish newspaper Diario AS, reflecting the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula.
nope you cant have him
