U.S. Grand Prix ambassador Mario Andretti "wants rebel teams banned from Formula One for life," according to Paul Weaver of the London GUARDIAN. Force India, Sauber and Lotus were "said to be on the brink of boycotting Sunday's race in Austin because of the sport's escalating financial crisis, which has seen Caterham and Marussia fall into administration." An angry Andretti, the '78 world champion, said that "any team who strike should face the strongest possible sanction." Andretti: "These ugly rumours about a potential boycott were so devastating in so many ways. These people don't realize that in the end they're hurting themselves. Who are you punishing? You're punishing the fans, who pay to come and see you, you're punishing the sponsors, who support the sport and keep it alive. You are punishing the core of what makes a sport exist. Only very small-minded people would think in these terms. I really have a problem with it. Look what Michelin did to F1 in Indy in 2005 [only six cars ran as those with Michelin tyres withdrew on safety grounds]. Teams or people who do this should be banned from the sport forever. There is no place for it. It's so destructive" (
GUARDIAN, 11/4).
