meebs
03-02-2005, 05:00 PM
You have GOT to be kidding me...
02/03/05 - 14:37]
Minardi set to miss Australian Grand Prix
Ferrari stand firm against Italin minnows
Photo F1-Live.com
Albers' street parade may be his only running
for Minardi in Australia
Ferrari are refusing to back down in a row with Minardi over allowing the Formula One minnows to use last year's cars in the season opening Australian Grand Prix at the weekend.
Minardi, Formula One's smallest team, say they have not been able to afford to comply with new rules aimed at slowing Formula One cars down. They can race if all the other teams give their approval, and only Ferrari have refused their consent.
Team boss Paul Stoddart said: "As of now, Wednesday afternoon, the situation is that Minardi will not be competing in Sunday's race because Todt has refused to agree to our request.
"I spoke to him at 3am and he said he won't agree to it, stating that it is an FIA matter. But it's not, and he knows that.
"The FIA needs to satisfy themselves that cars are safe, and the nine teams need to agree that we can compete outside the technical regulations. They are totally separate issues with separate procedures."
Stoddart believes that world champions Ferrari are not doing themselves any favours by standing in Minardi's way.
"That is eight teams for and one against. I personally can't think of a bigger public relations disaster than banning the underdog from what is effectively our home race. He told me he will not be in Melbourne until Friday morning, and that he is not interested in our problem."
"He won't delegate the matter either. The sad thing is that this is not a sporting matter, but a political one."
There had been talk of going to court in a bid to be allowed to compete, but Stoddart said: "Our advice indicates that we have a case, but it would mean disrupting the tenth anniversary of the grand prix I love above all others. I refuse to do that. But I am not ruling out later legal action."
02/03/05 - 14:37]
Minardi set to miss Australian Grand Prix
Ferrari stand firm against Italin minnows
Photo F1-Live.com
Albers' street parade may be his only running
for Minardi in Australia
Ferrari are refusing to back down in a row with Minardi over allowing the Formula One minnows to use last year's cars in the season opening Australian Grand Prix at the weekend.
Minardi, Formula One's smallest team, say they have not been able to afford to comply with new rules aimed at slowing Formula One cars down. They can race if all the other teams give their approval, and only Ferrari have refused their consent.
Team boss Paul Stoddart said: "As of now, Wednesday afternoon, the situation is that Minardi will not be competing in Sunday's race because Todt has refused to agree to our request.
"I spoke to him at 3am and he said he won't agree to it, stating that it is an FIA matter. But it's not, and he knows that.
"The FIA needs to satisfy themselves that cars are safe, and the nine teams need to agree that we can compete outside the technical regulations. They are totally separate issues with separate procedures."
Stoddart believes that world champions Ferrari are not doing themselves any favours by standing in Minardi's way.
"That is eight teams for and one against. I personally can't think of a bigger public relations disaster than banning the underdog from what is effectively our home race. He told me he will not be in Melbourne until Friday morning, and that he is not interested in our problem."
"He won't delegate the matter either. The sad thing is that this is not a sporting matter, but a political one."
There had been talk of going to court in a bid to be allowed to compete, but Stoddart said: "Our advice indicates that we have a case, but it would mean disrupting the tenth anniversary of the grand prix I love above all others. I refuse to do that. But I am not ruling out later legal action."