Bradley Downton has slammed fellow team principal Jamie Franklin as downright disgraceful and has accused him of trying to fix the Championship outcome. The outburst comes following the second race in a row where Championship leader Will Hoskins - who is leaving the team next season - was placed on a strategy that badly affected the outcome of his race, especially when compared to team mate and title rival Enrique Ruiz, who is remaining with Franklin for 2015. In an interview prior to the season ending Mexican Grand Prix, Downton was questioned on his thoughts of what was happening at Franklin.
'Honestly, I have no idea,' he started. 'It's no secret me and Jamie are quite good friends, we get on well, but I have to say, I think what he's doing is downright disgraceful.' 'Hoskins is leaving the team next year, Ruiz is staying, it's clear who Jamie wants to win because obviously he wants the Champion, he wants the number one on the car. But blatantly trying to fix the outcome of the Championship - as it's clear that's what he's trying to do - it's disgusting, and I expected better of him.' When questioned on why he felt it was blatant Championship fixing Downton replied, 'It's clear. Earlier in the season we saw three stops not really working, and as the year's gone on it's become clearer and clearer that fewer stops are better, one or two, depending on the track. But three stops just haven't worked, and we saw it with Will in Fuji, but for Jamie to then do it again in Brazil, it's disgusting.' 'He then claims it's Will's fault for not overtaking, which is appalling. Will is a quality driver and when given the car and the strategy and in the right circumstances he can. But some tracks don't lend themselves to overtaking. We didn't see a huge amount in Fuji or Brazil, and those we did see usually came from someone else's mistake.' 'I think - by attempting to fix the outcome of the Championship - Jamie is bringing the series into disrepute, and that needs dealing with. And I'm not the only one who feels like that. I've spoken to a number of other team managers who agree, although most won't come forward and say it to the press.' Downton was then asked if he felt there was any way Franklin could redeem himself and replied with, 'Yes, possibly. If he puts Ruiz on a three stop in Mexico, and Hoskins a one or two, that might do it. Then if Ruiz overtakes and makes it work, fine, good on him, he'll have deserved it, I think that'll redeem Jamie. At the very least they should be put on the same strategy, but this doesn't redeem him and his previous choices.'
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