F1's bad payers exposed

According to the Mail on Sunday, an self-governing study conducted by business information company Dun & Bradstreet reveals that only two teams pay earlier than the due date.

Red Bull Racing and sister team Toro Rosso, both bankrolled by Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, are the only clothes that pay their creditors - which comprise caterers, designers, equipment suppliers and haulage firms - on time. However, that is mainly down to Mateschitz's decision to boost the teams' budget.

'The data, which contrast the rate of payment between December 2009 to April 2010 and between April to November last year, reveal that even though the economy has begun to pick up, the creditworthiness of F1 teams has not,' the statement claims.

Despite having some of the biggest budgets in the sport, heavyweights Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren are typically late by between 11 and 17 days. The trio were upstaged by rookies Virgin - backed by Sir Richard Branson - who on standard settled their accounts eight days after the due date.

Force India are by far the worst of the recognized outfits as they usually take about a month to pay their bills despite being owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya.

The report adds: 'One supplier, who did not wish to be named, said his company has had to pay its own staff late as a result. 'If Vijay sold his yacht, it would keep the team going for a couple of years,' he said.'

The Northamptonshire-based team though don't get the award for worst overall offender. That honour goes to rookies Lotus who typically pay 180 days late. 

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