From GMM
A furious Flavio Briatore in Shanghai accused Formula 1's governing body of tempting another fatality by legalising 'double diffusers'.
Even though Fernando Alonso's car is now fitted with an early version of the controversial aerodynamic treatment, the Renault boss said the sport is racing down a dangerous road.
"After the death of Senna the principle was to not give certain (ground) effects to the cars, but now suddenly it's all legal," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport in China.
He said the current pecking order, with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari struggling, and the Brawn drivers out in front, is an affront to F1's credibility.
"Our drivers are or have been world champions, and then you have a (Brawn) driver who was almost retired, and another who is a 'paracarro', fighting for the championship. I don't know how we can say we have credibility, " said Briatore.
A 'paracarro' is a concrete roadside post, and it is not clear if Briatore was referring to Button or Barrichello.
Rubens Barrichello replied to Flavio Briatore's comment on Friday, slamming him as a "bad loser".
Barrichello said Briatore should concentrate on closing the gap rather than lashing out at F1's new pacesetters.
"There are some people who lower their heads and work. Others don't know how to lose and in my opinion Briatore is one of those kind (of people)," Barrichello is quoted as telling Brazilian reporters in China.
Barrichello also criticised Briatore for blaming Renault's lack of competitiveness on Brawn-style rear diffusers.
"If you take the diffuser off my car and put it on his, it will not solve their problems," he insisted. "The diffuser is a part of our car but it is not the reason."
photo:Renault F1 Team
A furious Flavio Briatore in Shanghai accused Formula 1's governing body of tempting another fatality by legalising 'double diffusers'.
Even though Fernando Alonso's car is now fitted with an early version of the controversial aerodynamic treatment, the Renault boss said the sport is racing down a dangerous road.
"After the death of Senna the principle was to not give certain (ground) effects to the cars, but now suddenly it's all legal," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport in China.
He said the current pecking order, with Renault, McLaren and Ferrari struggling, and the Brawn drivers out in front, is an affront to F1's credibility.
"Our drivers are or have been world champions, and then you have a (Brawn) driver who was almost retired, and another who is a 'paracarro', fighting for the championship. I don't know how we can say we have credibility, " said Briatore.
A 'paracarro' is a concrete roadside post, and it is not clear if Briatore was referring to Button or Barrichello.
Rubens Barrichello replied to Flavio Briatore's comment on Friday, slamming him as a "bad loser".
Barrichello said Briatore should concentrate on closing the gap rather than lashing out at F1's new pacesetters.
"There are some people who lower their heads and work. Others don't know how to lose and in my opinion Briatore is one of those kind (of people)," Barrichello is quoted as telling Brazilian reporters in China.
Barrichello also criticised Briatore for blaming Renault's lack of competitiveness on Brawn-style rear diffusers.
"If you take the diffuser off my car and put it on his, it will not solve their problems," he insisted. "The diffuser is a part of our car but it is not the reason."
photo:Renault F1 Team