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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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April 08, 2002
Former MaMa driver Leon Verheggen joined the verbal war going on between Erdem Coban and Luc Lissens.

"Since my resignation at the MaMa Racing Team there has been a lot going on. I understand Erdem quit the team shortly after my resignation, because of a disturbed relationship between him and Luc. Erdem has fully informed me on what happened en what was said between him and Luc.

The communication within the team was not good, especially between me and Luc. In Sepang he even wanted to punish me for something I could not help. I explained all this to Luc and he said he understood and was willing to give me another chance. I thought it was all ok after this. But I barely turned around or I found Luc was trying to give me a bad name in the press. This time I thought he had gone too far and I was practising for Brazil with aversion. But I couldn't help showing my displeasement with Luc in Brazil.

This brings me to the point of making clear that I LEFT the team and that Luc didn't fire me, as he stated in his press release! This only illustrates how Luc treats his drivers. But after my resignation troubles weren't over yet. Although Erdem tried everything to keep me in the team and he tried to persuade Luc, Luc started picking on Erdem. Luc offended Erdem in public by calling him a bad and lazy driver. Anybody who knows Erdem a little bit, and I like to believe I know him pretty well, knows Erdem can't stand this type of criticism. He always takes this very seriously. But obviously this wasn't enough for Luc, he insulted him even more by calling him, and me as well, lazy and things I shall not repeat in public. Because every normal human wouldn't do such things.

When I heard all this from Erdem, I was very angry with Luc and decided I had to do something to help Erdem, not just because he is a very close friend of mine, but I would do this for everybody that is being treated this way. I hope that with this statement I can help solve the problems that have occured these last couple of days.

Because the facts I have mentioned above isn't the only problem. Now it is so that Erdem has left the team and he has a chance of becoming a testdriver at another team, what he would love to do. But Luc is once more an obstacle for Erdem to show his capabilities to the world. Luc has made Erdem unaffordable for any other team. It is obvious Luc only wants to give Erdem a hard time, because Luc also stated he wouldn't let Erdem drive, only for 20 million pounds. I'm talking about Erdem and not about me because I know how ambitious Erdem is and he is very displeased with the way things are going right now. I just would like to mention about my case that Luc won't let me drive for another team ever. He won't sell me, I think that is the lowest thing he can do.

All these problems are the consequence of Luc's persisting obstinacy and his not very social attitude towards his employees. For me it is clear that Luc isn't acting reasonable towards Erdem. When Erdem and I first joined we thought this leaugue was for fun.

People should be able to compete with each other and the teams are there to help them do this. The teams shouldn't keep the drivers from having fun and showing everybody what they are capable of.

So, I made my point, Luc should lower Erdem's price and let him go where ever he wants. Erdem is too good of a driver to watch from the sideline how everybody is racing and having fun (except for the MaMa Racing Team). The contract Luc is calling himself upon is worthless, they are only brought to life so the fun would only increase for the participants in the league. And now Luc is using it as a weapon against Erdem! Come on people, lighten up, let everybody have fun and throw away those contracts, it is pathetic to use them the way Luc does.

This brings me to the point I would like to make a suggestion: I think it wouldn't be such a bad idea that the GPVWC Government Body installs some kind of court or jury that can break up contracts, if people want to do this serious about these contracts, in situations like the one of Erdem and mine. Or else the Government body itself should get the authority to do this themselves.

I hope people think about what I just said and Erdem and possibly other drivers in the future should get the chance to drive where ever en however they want to. Luc is being absurd and should let Erdem go freely. Think about it people."