Booth makes frank admission

THE BOSS of F1's newest cost-cutting team is adamant he will be on the starting grid next season but admitted he will NOT be competitive straight away.

In an exclusive chat with Vroom, Manor Grand Prix owner John Booth, confirmed his team WILL compete next year despite a U-turn by the FIA on a £40million budget-cap which was due to come in to force in 2010.

Under the scrapped scheme, teams operating on a low-cost budget would have been granted greater technical freedom compared to the teams with larger financial resources, but with Ferrari threatening to quit the sport and many others saying they would follow if the cost-cutting rule were introduced, the FIA decided to abort the championship change.

Speaking frankly, Booth said: "Despite the budget cuts not coming into place, we will be on the grid next season and are still 100% committed. From my point of view, there is a genuine will from all teams to keep costs down and gradually reduce spending over the next three years.

"Of course our budget still remains the same and we will be aiming for the £40million target we first set when we agreed to enter F1 and this hasn't and will not change. We will work within our parameters and I have every confidence that we will achieve our goals."

When asked if he would be competing for podiums, the 54-year-old retired racer was refreshingly honest: "No! We will not be competitive at the start of next year but that is just being realistic. We will of course improve as the season goes on and aim to be fighting for points, we are a professional outfit and would not be entering to just to make up the numbers at the back of the field.

When pressed about his much speculated driver line-up for next season - insiders say British Formula 3 rising star Max Chilton and A1GP's Adam Carroll are favourites for the drive - he wasn't prepared to give anything away: "We are looking everywhere for drivers at the moment. As you know the driver market is very unstable and everyone is unsure of which driver is going where. When the dust has settled, we will be able to see who is available. We will of course be looking at the current F1 drivers but also young talent from elsewhere."

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BRIATORE ROW RUMBLES ON

Flavio Briatore: Storm

AS THE SAYING goes hell has no fury like a woman scorned and, according to Renault bosses, the same could be applied to disgruntled F1 drivers.

Since the sacking of Nelson Piquet last month, an ugly war of words has ensued with the Brazilian claiming he was ordered to crash by team chief Flavio Briatore during the Singapore GP last year - aiding team-mate Fernando Alonso to victory.

As a result of Piquet's allegations, Renault have been ordered to appear before the World Motorsport Council later this month charged with possible race-fixing and, if found guilty, could be kicked out of the championship.

In a shocking turn of events, the bitter battle escalated further, overshadowing all of this weekend's on-track action, with a furious Briatore announcing HE is now issuing a counter-claim suing Piquet and his dad for BLACKMAIL.

Speaking at a press conference in Monza this weekend, he branded the accusations as 'outrageous lies' and said: "We have put a plan today in the criminal court in Paris against the two Piquets, the fact that we put a plan for blackmail means we are very confident. I don't think it's correct today to confirm what the plan is. We have done it because we have about 80% confidence that the truth will come out."

Piquet Jr, who has been given immunity by the FIA, issued a statement declaring he had nothing to worry about: "Because I am telling the truth, I have nothing to fear, whether from the ING Renault Team or Mr Briatore and, whilst I am well aware of the power and influence of those being investigated, and the vast resources at their disposal, I will not be bullied again into making a decision I regret."

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ALONSO SWITCH CONFIRMED

MORE THAN a year after it was first reported in this column - motorsport's worst kept secret was finally confirmed by Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo this weekend with the Italian admitting Fernando Alonso WILL switch teams.

Di Montezemolo was fielding questions after Alonso's sponsors, Spanish bank Santander, officially announced its five-year-deal with the Maranello squad adding weight to rumours that the Spaniard will be leaving Renault next season.

Despite many believing the ink is dry on the reported £175million three-year contract, Ferrari's head honcho says he has too many drivers already for next season - but refused to dismiss claims Alonso would partner Felipe Massa in 2010.

"Sooner or later, I'll make it happen. We'll see when, for next year we have Raikkonen, Massa, Fisichella, Badoer, Gene, and I hope Michael Schumacher, so we have a bench as long as Real Madrid's," he joked during an interview in Monza.

"I've always liked Alonso, because he is a great driver that I spotted back when he was in Minardi. He won titles, and I've always thought that, sooner or later, all great drivers come to Ferrari."

When directly asked about the two-time champ he added: "I never like to talk on the driver side. Whenever we take some decision we will inform you in the proper way at the right moment. Every year it is the same. We have a lot of drivers - this is not a problem for us now."

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