David Coulthard says that all the last-ditch preparations being made by Formula 1's new teams, as well as the fact that some of them were only confirmed starters to the season late on, are a poor advertisement for the sport.
The former McLaren and Red Bull ace says the standard that will be seen this season from new teams Virgin, Lotus and HRT is likely to be very poor and says the way they have been intergated has been irresponsible.
Ferrari have been hugely critical of unprepared new teams and Coulthard says he agrees with them, adding that the evidence is there to be seen, given the late withdrawal of US F1.
He also feels that the fact that the Serbian Stefan F1 team felt that they could jump on board anytime if one of the other teams could not shows how chaotic the situation has become. Stefan have, however, not been allowed to replace the American team.
"I have some sympathy with Ferrari's point of view," Coulthard was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph. "Formula One is not a finishing school. Either you come prepared, or prepare to fail. This is the pinnacle of world motor sport.
"It's no use them bleating about the fact that the goalposts moved after they joined under a budget cap. The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) never signed up to that cap.
"Has the world gone mad? F1 is a dangerous sport at the best of times but asking teams to just turn up at practice on a Friday before a race is plain irresponsible.
“Even if the new teams negotiate Bahrain without a hitch - and I hope they do - they will be miles off the pace."