I am always interested in the articles of David Coulthard, in a good way. As an ex-F1 driver, he is always capable of providing insights to the on-goings of the current state of F1. Most of the times, they usually made sense. Unlike some, who simple accuses, states the obvious & they act like they were from the school of theatrics rather than someone whom was one hell of a racer.


Alright. Enough of rants.


What David Coulthard mentioned in the following article seems like something that has been ignored by the FIA. It is one thing to inject new blood into the sport, but another, if it doesn't help the sport.


I do pity the new teams in some way. Even though 2010 is going to be their debut year, they will not only be overshadowed by their car performance, but also by the classic drivers-teams line-up. No matter how 2010 will turn out to be, it definitely go down into the history as one of the classic years.


Dotdotger is a newbie F1 fan whom has been following the sport for only 1.5years till date. For any mistakes, she would appreciate constructive criticism and enlightenment.

 

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David Coulthard: new teams on Formula One grid are a cause for concern


I am going to end up sounding like a bit of a Scrooge here, but before we all start waxing lyrical about the impending blockbuster of a season (and, believe me, I have not felt this excited about a championship since I made my debut for Williams in 1994), I want to address something that worries me greatly: the standard, or lack thereof, of the new teams on the grid for 2010.

By David Coulthard
Published: 7:30AM GMT 09 Mar 2010

New teams on Formula One grid are a cause for concern
New kids on the grid: rookie F1 drivers Karun Chandhok (left) and Bruno Senna will be under huge pressure, says David Coulthard
Photo: REUTERS

I have heard a lot in recent months about how great it is to have 'fresh blood' in the sport. And I noted with interest the criticism levelled at Ferrari for the scathing editorial published on their website last month, when they belittled the "small teams" entering F1.

 

Well, I have to admit, I have some sympathy with Ferrari's point of view.

 

Formula One is not a finishing school. Either you come prepared, or prepare to fail. This is the pinnacle of world motorsport. It's no use them bleating about the fact that the goalposts moved after they joined under a £40 million budget cap. The Formula One Teams' Association never signed up to that cap.

 

Fresh blood is all well and good but I would argue that the carry-on we have seen over the past few months has been a poor advertisement for F1. First it was going to be four new teams, then Bernie Ecclestone admitted he thought only two of them would make it. Then USF1 collapsed and died, along with the reputations of Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, who cried wolf so many times.

 

Finally we are left with three new outfits – Virgin Racing, Lotus and Hispania Racing – although the last of these launched only last week following a last-minute change of ownership and has never turned a wheel in testing.

 

Has the world gone mad? F1 is a dangerous sport at the best of times but asking teams to just turn up at practice on a Friday before a race is plain irresponsible.

 

For a team who have been up and running for years it is difficult enough to pass the stringent FIA crash tests while accumulating adequate miles to prove the integrity of parts which are not required to be tested; for instance suspension parts, which as a reminder to all keep the wheels attached to the car.

 

Even if the new teams negotiate Bahrain without a hitch – and I hope they do – they will be miles off the pace. Again, I feel this degrades the sport and is unfair on the drivers in question. Just ask Perry McCarthy, who failed to qualify for a single grand prix in 11 attempts for Andrea Moda in 1992, how much fun it is scrabbling around at the back of a grid.

 

Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok, the drivers for Hispania Racing, are both talented young men under huge pressure. I just hope it doesn't all descend into McCarthy-esque farce.

 

My advice to them? Drive as quickly as possible at all times during practice. One of the most dangerous things you can do in F1 is to go slowly on the racing line.

 

That aside, the season promises to be a classic. I certainly can't remember one that looks so competitive. Of the drivers at the four big teams – Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull – only Nico Rosberg has never won a race, and I think he is well capable of breaking his duck this year.

 

My views on my old foe, Michael Schumacher, are clear. He will be fit as a flea and capable of challenging for honours if Mercedes give him the car. But it won't be easy for him. The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are young and fearless. And let's not forget Jenson Button, whose confidence is sky-high right now.

 

In fact, you would have to be mad to pick a winner at this juncture, it is that open.

 


David Coulthard is writing on behalf of Red Bull Racing, for whom he acts as a consultant.

 

Original Author: David Coulthard

Article Source: Here

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