By Huw Alban
December 14 2005

As if we needed proof that Midland have a lot of work to do to improve their image with the fans, it would appear that the press also need a little tender loving care. Midland are now in the media firing line over alledgedly blocking Super Aguri F1's entry into the sport ! The British press, it seems, are determined to have a go at Midland at the moment. So far, only one major F1 news source has picked up on it and we've been largely ignoring it.

F1-racing.net started to investigate claims that Midland is the only team blocking Suzuki Aguri in his aim to get an F1 team on the grid in 2006. When the FIA published the official entry list for 2006 a few weeks ago, Aguri's team was missing. The regulations state that the new team can still enter the sport as long as every team approves. The Brit press are claiming that Midland are Suzuki's only obstacle.

F1-racing.net caught up with Colin Kolles at Jerez. "We are still evaluating the current situation, but we haven't said yes or no yet," Kolles has been reported as saying to the site. "There are actually other F1 teams who are blocking it, but it is not us at the moment," he claims.

The team boss also apparently refuted claims that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has had to lobby Midland to get them to agree to Aguri's entry.

As ever we approached our own sources in Midland looking for some clarification. We were expecting a 'no comment', but when we asked whether the team were blocking Aguri we were told by a spokesperson, "I can assure you this is most certainly not the case."

"It also raises the question of how the media know who has signed to allow Aguri to race and who hasn’t? So much of what happens in F1 goes on behind the scenes and what is reported is often a gross distortion of the facts." Ain't that a fact sports fans !

"However," our spokesperson continued, "I am certain that in time the truth will be revealed and Midland’s position will be vindicated."

So Brit press, lay off and report the facts ! If you don't know them then don't report them, and stop plucking the sport's newest team out as a blame target for every piece of bad news ! Just because Midland F1 are new and don't have a huge band of followers, this doesn't make them suitable for a public slating !

Based on what Colin Kolles has stated via F1-racing.net the Brit press haven't seen sight of which team signed 'Yes' and which signed 'No', as they are unable to state which teams are not blocking the Leafield based team. But you heard it here first folks - Midland are not blocking the new team, and we here at Midland F1 Online wish Suzuki Aguri every success in his attempts to get onto the 2006 grid.