Bernie Ecclestone: new F1 teams are 'cripples'

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone - who recently turned 80 - has slammed 2010 newcomers Lotus, Virgin and Hispania (HRT) as 'cripples' and an 'embarrassment'.

Speaking to Somebody Important from the Financial Times while continuing to not-care about QPR, Bernie said: "They do nothing for us. They are an embarrassment. We need to get rid of those cripples. Richard [Branson] should put some money in, shouldn't he?"

While you can see what he's getting at, it's not the kindest way of dismissing the millions of pounds spent by three teams in their attempt to give his sport a starting grid that reaches double figures.

Presumably to distract attention away from what will inevitably be coined 'cripple-gate', Bernie then turned his thoughts to the top of the pile, expressing his desire for either Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel to win the driver's championship. That should cheer those two up, at least.

He also has no intention to retire "as long as I can deliver".

"Somebody will emerge when I'm not there", he noted, slightly ominously. "[But] I don't think it could be carried on in the same way as it has."

In other news, some people are reporting that Volkswagen has said 'no' to entering F1.