Branson hits back at Ferrari

Date published : 27 Feb 2010 - 20:59:14

Virgin chief Richard Branson has expressed his annoyance at Ferrari's recent criticism of the new Formula 1 teams. A column on Ferrari's website earlier this week poured scorn on the efforts of newcomers Virgin and Lotus, as well as the struggling Campos and US F1 squads, and potential last-minute replacement Stefan, and questioned whether the FIA should have tried harder to keep manufacturers on board rather than encouraging new independent teams. But on a visit to testing at Catalunya today, Branson hit back at Ferrari - insisting the new teams would be positive for F1 and slamming the established squads for crushing the budget cap rule that teams like Virgin had been counting on. "I think that it's a bit sad to see Ferrari carrying on with those kinds of words," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph. "Formula 1 needs new teams. "Ferrari already won the battle to make sure that new teams are shackled. "We have built a new car from scratch and are going to have exactly the same practice time as Brawn, Ferrari or any of the other teams who have had years and years and years to get it right. "But we're not complaining about it we're happy to go along with it." "I think it was a pity that they were resistant to the budget cap and I think it is foolish actually. "I think the one thing the Virgin team will prove is that you can have a really good racing team, running very fast, within a very tight budget. "There is no need to do massively expensive windtunnel testing, or all the other things that they do to get the extra second or two." Branson is confident that the new teams will eventually get up to speed whatever the regulations, and believes F1 will be stronger because of their presence. "Ultimately I think that new teams will give Ferrari a run for their money," he said. "And I think it will make the sport more exciting, particularly as budgets come down to more realistic levels."