David Coulthard has added his voice to those expressing concern about the presence of three new Formula One team on the grid this season, arguing it is the "standard" of Virgin, Lotus and HRT that is concerning him "greatly".

"I have some sympathy with Ferrari's point of view," He told 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 never signed up to that cap."

He then said the shambles surrounding the failed attempt by US F1 to enter a team, as well as the arguments surrounding Stefan GP had been "a poor advertisement for F1".

"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."

He said his advice to HRT's rookies Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok, who will be debuting the Spanish team's unnamed car in Bahrain on Friday, is to "drive as quickly as possible … one of the most dangerous things you can do in F1 is to go slowly on the racing line".