Formula One news

Mansell laments 'dreadful' spying scandal

Nigel Mansell believes that the espionage saga is not just damaging the reputations of McLaren and Ferrari but is drowning the entertainment value of the sport. Although the 1992 world champion admits that spying has always been a part of Formula One, he thinks that the current debacle is taking it to a new parasitical level.

"It has always been there, but not to the levels that this is," Mansell, who raced for both McLaren and Ferrari, told Crash.net. "This is not good for the sport and it does take the edge off the sport. I think Formula 1 and the team principals of Formula 1 have been very clever and astute by saying Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso won't be affected, but I think it does hurt the reputation of McLaren.

"I think it is dreadful to have the situation between two major teams and heading to the civil court, which is where more will come out. It is a shame, but we cannot focus on that and we must instead focus on the racing. Still, we could all do without it really."

more news

• 09 Jan.
  • New Renault fails FIA crash test
  • Toro Rosso confirm Buemi
  • Technical reshuffle at Red Bull
  • Klien still optimistic of race seat
  • Kubica named Polish sports personality of the year
  • Richards out of Honda running
  • Donington gains planning permission
• 08 Jan.
  • FOTA agrees cost-cutting plans
  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
  • Mosley not done yet with cost cuttings
• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit

Homepage