Pollock: Take the Covers Off Formula One

Formula One has become too secretive and needs to give more back to the fans, British American Racing team boss Craig Pollock said on Thursday.

"I think we're getting to the stage in Formula One where its ridiculous and we're showing nothing, covering absolutely everything up," he told a news conference, stressing that his opinion was purely a personal one.

Pollock had been asked about his views on the lack of an open day at the Canadian Grand Prix on Wednesday where fans have in the past been able to walk around looking at the cars which will be racing on Sunday.

Cars are routinely covered with tarpaulins when not in the garages to prevent prying eyes from inspecting sensitive aerodynamic details. Last season screens were also erected in front of garages to prevent cameras from capturing information.

"What are we doing? Are we putting on a show because that's what we're meant to be doing, that's what the sponsors want to do," asked Pollock. "People want to see a Formula One car, they don't want to see a tent put over a car. Quite personally, I'd ban it all."

Jaguar boss Bobby Rahal, an American familiar with the more relaxed ways of Indy Cars where fans have close access to cars and drivers, agreed with that.

"I think that anything that we can do to promote interest in the sport, like free Wednesdays or whatever, we should be doing it because I think that someone's forgetting what we're all about here," he said.