UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Bernie blasts Spyker's contribution

They came and that was it

Sep.20 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has delivered a parting shot to Spyker by suggesting that the outgoing Dutch team "did not really contribute anything" to formula one.

For the third time in as many years, the Silverstone based outfit is again on the verge of being sold; this time to a consortium led by the F1 chief executive's fellow billionaire and friend Vijay Mallya and the wealthy Mol family.

"They came in and that was it," Ecclestone, referring to Spyker's buyout of Midland last year, is quoted as saying by the Dutch publication Sportweek.

On the other hand, Ecclestone, 76, is a close friend of Mallya, who intends to rename the team something along the lines of 'Team India'.

"Vijay wanted to come into formula one and I put him in contact with Toyota," Bernie explained, referring to Mallya's sponsorship of the Japanese outfit via his Kingfisher brand.

Ecclestone also said he backed Mallya's subsequent interest in Spyker.

But, apparently again referring to Spyker, he added: "I would have been happier if the other people had done what they said they were going to do.

"They came in (to F1) and that was it. They did not really contribute anything, no," Ecclestone said.

Written: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:35:23