Formula One news

Ralf's a 'strange' choice - Mika Salo

Former Toyota driver Mika Salo has slammed the Cologne-based Formula One team's style of selecting grand prix pilots. The Finn, who on the weekend debuted in the Maserati sports car, recalls his last two months as a F1 star as 'not much fun at all.

"I was just covering my arse," he said at Imola. "I had ideas for how to make things better at Toyota, but you couldn't say them - you were too scared you'd lose your job."

At the end of 2002, Toyota stunned the F1 world by dumping its driver line-up - Salo and Allan McNish - after just one season. Salo recalls: "I just thought 'ok -- you're making a mistake'. I think they're still suffering from it."

Mika also claims Ralf Schumacher's '05 appointment is 'not the most clever' one.  "Actually, I think it's strange," he added. "I remember Spa in 2002 and I said to (Olivier) Panis, who was joining them, to enjoy his races - because it might not last!"

So does blonde-haired Mika Salo miss Formula One? "I miss driving the car," he said, "but not the bullshit."

Salo's MC12 finished second on Sunday.

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