Quotes of the Week
05/25/09
"Can a world championship with teams like them – with due respect – have the same value as today's Formula One, where Ferrari, the big car manufacturers and teams, who created the history of this sport, compete? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call it Formula GP3?" Ferrari F1 team, having lost its bid to have the 2010 rules declared invalid, openly mocked a band of teams including Wirth Research, Epsilon Euskadi, RML and Formtech wanting to enter Formula One next year .
"It's difficult to keep talking positive about it (Formula 1) when we wash our clothes in public so often." Mark Webber, Formula 1 driver, Red Bull, hit out at the sport's state of dire politics, as more than half the current teams threaten to walk out over the dispute with the FIA.
"Well, I am concerned, I don't want them [Ferrari] leaving. I don't think anybody does. We've had more than 70 teams in and out since F1 started. The only people who have been consistent are Ferrari, because they have been there from day one. So we don't want to lose Ferrari." Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Association
"Formula One success in 2009 has turned him [Jenson Button] into a 'right boring bastard' because all he thinks about is his next shot at a race win." Flavio Briatore, Team Principal, Renault, commenting on Jenson Button's success with the Brawn GP team this season
"I'm pretty sure we are going to disappear from Formula One. They will find something for me to do since they still have a contract with me. They are racing in many other categories." Kimi Raikkonen, Formula 1 driver, Ferrari
“We have had a lot of political fighting in many areas, and I don’t think that has helped the sport. Many people have become upset because of these fights, and it would be nice to have more sport and less politics – that’s what we’re here for. We are not here for political reasons; we are here for sport, to fight for positions. That’s the good thing about Formula 1. I just hope things are going to be okay, but if we lose Ferrari, Formula 1 won’t be the same, no matter what people say. You look at the many teams trying to get into Formula 1 next year, and with all respect, if you lose Ferrari and you get GP2 teams, it won’t be the same. The only thing I hope is that we have more sport and less politics. We are here to race, to fight each other on the track, not outside. I will support my team because I think Ferrari, to be honest, is not alone. They may have taken the lead, but I don’t think it's just Ferrari thinking the way they are – I think it’s many other teams [too]." Felipe Massa, Formula 1 driver, Ferrari
"We do not have a number one driver and we do not intend to have one. Jenson and Rubens are on equal terms and conditions and they both get exactly the same equipment as best as we can. Jenson and Rubens have been with the team for a few years now and they are fully integrated. Both are great team players. One of the key factors in creating such a good atmosphere comes from complete honesty. We have been, and will continue to be, completely honest with the drivers. They know the situation, their engineers know the situation, the team knows the situation. There is no favoritism." Ross Brawn, Team Principal, Brawn GP
"To have an American grand prix team without a grand prix in its own country, I'm sorry, that does not make commercial sense, or even common sense. So I think we have to have an American grand prix. For this to be the largest commercial and intensely marketed nation in the world not to have a grand prix, with all the major carmakers in the world, the tire maker in Bridgestone, the fuel and oil producers — for them not to have a grand prix, for me is nonsensical. It cannot be allowed to continue." Sir Jackie Stewart, 3 times Formula 1 World Champion, referring to the new USGPE/USF1 team to debut n 2010
"What are you going to say? It certainly wasn't the prettiest win, but somebody has to win these things. Rodney (Childers, crew chief) made a great call and told me to stay out. We need to come in and work on this thing to make it as good as we need to anyway and we're probably going to lose some positions on pit road so we just stayed out and took a gamble." David Reutimann, NASCAR driver, Michael Waltrip Racing, when asked How does it feel to win your first Sprint Cup Series race?
"It's totally disappointing. I should have been smarter than that. That kid (Moraes) is in way over his head with where he is now. I'm sitting next to him, and he just drives up into me. There was no one in sight of him. I should have known better." Marco Andretti, Indy Car driver, Andretti Green Racing, after their first turn accident in the Indy 500
"This is incredible. I think my tears speak for everything. What a great team. I just have to thank, first of all, the Lord for giving me this opportunity, to be strong, to have a family that I have. I have to think Roger (Penske), Tim (Cindric), my guys, Phillip Morris, all the associates (sponsors), Verizon, everybody because they gave my life back. I'm here today because of those guys. And obviously the fans. You guys don't understand. You guys kept me strong. You guys are the best" Helio Castroneves, Indy Car driver, Team Penske, after winning his third Indy 500 five weeks after being acquitted of tax evasion charges
"I don't know what the kid [Raphael Matos] is doing. There's too many damn road racers who don't know how to run ovals. He should have seen that (Meira) had the groove and then to turn right down on his right rear, that's just driving with your head up your (butt). I hate to say it, but it's pretty stupid what the kid did." A.J. Foyt, Team Owner, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, commenting on the accident in the Indy 500 between his driver Vitor Meira and Luczo Dragon Racing rookie, Raphael Matos
"I'm lost for words with him really. He's exceeding everything I thought possible." Ross Brawn, Team Principal, Brawn GP, praising Jenson Button after Jenson won the Monaco Grand Prix, his fifth win from six starts so far in 2009