Reference counting? Except for some basic types, like the string, you have to manually manage memory.

And the other point you are trying to make, I still don't get it. You imply that the guy is doing it wrong for using Delphi where speed is important, and you come here and say that Delphi is, indeed, a fast language.

What if speed is not what the language is intended for? If the language is intended for other purpose, and speed comes as a bonus, I don't know how that could be a bad thing.