By Huw Alban
January 23 2006

According to www.f1today.nl rumours are circulating in the media that the Midland M16 almost failed the FIA crash test. As a result, so those rumours go, Midland are planning to race in a different chassis using cheaper materials. As you'd expect, Midland have strongly denied these rumours. In fact, according to our sources, they are so far-fetched that "it's pointless to waste any more time on nonsense like this."

For the record the accusations levelled at the team are that the M16 chassis almost failed the FIA crash test, that the team are planning to use different construction materials in the race chassis than those used in the 'almost failed' one, and that cheaper materials will be used to save time, money and weight.

Midland sources speaking to f1today.nl have already rubbished these claims, but for the benefit of English speaking fans (and media) here is what our sources within Midland told us today.

"The team would never do anything that would endanger the safety of its drivers. Period. The team would never risk suspension and/or disqualification by breaking any FIA rules. Period. It would actually cost more to build two different spec chassis (i.e. a heavy one that would pass and a light one that would fail) and we would never waste our resources in such a foolish manner."

These comment aside, the accusations thrown at the team don't hold up on a technical level either. "The chassis must be rigid not only from a safety point of view, but also to ensure maximum performance." we have been informed. "As certain teams have realised in years past, cars that are overly light do not possess the necessary rigidity to utilize the engine's power effectively. They flex and twist, reducing the effectiveness of the suspension and aerodynamic systems."

It's worth noting that the new Ferrari chassis actually failed the FIA crash test (thanks to CRX for letting us know about that), but I haven't seen anyone jumping up and down claiming that Ferrari are cutting corners and putting the safety of it's drivers second to having a competitive car !

I have mixed emotions in writing this today. Part of me is bristling with anger over nonsense allegations and plainly ridiculous statements and a desire to publically rubbish them, the other is simply wanting to turn my back on negative simple minded media who simply have nothing better to do than to sling mud at whoever they don't like simply to get headlines. For some reason Midland appear to be a 'mud target' at the moment.

Perhaps the media simply cannot accept that this team admits to it's mistakes of the past, and is working damn hard to put them right. From the mess of 2005 is rising a new, smart, focussed organisation with clear goals and a passion to meet them. Maybe the media should bite it's tongue for the moment and wait for this team to hit the race track - I have a feeling that Midland F1 Racing will be able to have just one or two 'last laughs' during the 2006 season...

... and Midland F1 Online will be here to help make sure that everyone knows about them !