Formula One news
McNish: Pay-drivers devalue F1
16 March 2004Former F1 ace Allan McNish is concerned that inexperienced pay-drivers are taking the seats of more established stars at the pinnacle of motor sport. The Scot, who'll again contest Le Mans in 2004, was in contention for the Jordan F1 drive but it ultimately fell to the $5m coffers of rookie Giorgio Pantano. 'We have so many young drivers ... paying for their place in F1,' said McNish.
Likewise, F1-rookies Zsolt Baumgartner and Gianmaria Bruni (Minardi) take a collective $14 million to the cash-strapped Faenza team owned by Paul Stoddart. Minardi's 'third driver' Bas Leinders doesn't even has a super-license.
McNish told 'Sunday Times' that F1 is meant to be racing's pinnacle but drivers with little experience are deposing established stars because they have money. 'It's not right,' said Allan, who debuted for Toyota in 2002.
Last season, 32-year-old McNish held-down the Renault test-driving role and openly expected to find a new berth on the racing-grid in time for 2004. He said the current trend will 'devalue and dilute' the strength of F1. 'It will do that unless major steps are taken,' said the sports car champion.
F1-owners Eddie Jordan and Paul Stoddart offered McNish the chance to accelerate his quest for a race-drive by suggesting he start calling-on corporate backers. 'I have never, and will never, pay to race a car,' the resolute Scot said. 'Once you go down that road, you're finished.'
more news
- 09 Nov.
- 08 Nov.
- 07 Nov.
- 06 Nov.
- 05 Nov.
- 04 Nov.
- 03 Nov.
Homepage
Jerez