F1’s new team ‘cripples’ are ‘an embarrassment’ – Ecclestone

F1’s three new teams have been “an embarrassment” for the sport in 2010, according to chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Through additional financial incentives, the 80-year-old Briton actively enticed new entrants into pitlane this year.

But he has told the Financial Times that Virgin, Lotus and HRT have ultimately added no value to F1 because of their lack of competitiveness.

“They do nothing for us, they are an embarrassment,” said Ecclestone.  “We need to get rid of a few of those cripples.”

He clarified that the Malaysian team Lotus is worth keeping in F1 beyond 2010, and called for Sir Richard Branson to put some serious money into Virgin.

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