McLaren calls for support for new teams

Following on from the withdrawals of BMW and Toyota at the end of 2009, and US F1's inability to make it to the grid this season, the Woking outfit's managing director Jonathan Neale said that the newcomers, such as Virgin and Lotus, should be welcomed into the fold, rather than disregarded for any lack of experience at the top level.

"As a group we have to be supportive in getting new teams off the ground," Neale told reporters via teleconference. "I respect greatly what the drivers are saying and one or two have raised concerns about it, but I think that's a matter for the FIA.

"We have to try and get as many new teams off the ground and stabilise them as quickly as possible because we need it in view of the disappointing losses Honda, Toyota and BMW [since 2008] is disappointing. I'd like to think that collectively we can achieve that."

Despite voicing his support for the new teams, Neale said that he expected the FIA to keep a close eye on their performances, and particularly that of the Spanish HRT squad, as its car will not turn a wheel until first practice in Bahrain this weekend.

"I wouldn't like to be an MD with a car running for the first time on a GP Friday in terms of the reliability package and how do you dial it in with such limited running and so few tyres," he added.

"I'm sure that the FIA will look very closely at it and if there are big gaps in closing speeds and plenty of red flags, then they'll take the necessary actions. And it's important that they do because we don't want yet more casualties before the start of the season."