Post by Yanden on Jun 16, 2003 8:50:10 GMT -5
Minardi team principal Paul Stoddart revealed here Friday that he has withdrawn his support for the proposed future changes to the Formula One rules. Stoddart, whose Minardi team is struggling financially this year, has been angered by the failure of manufacturer-backed teams to provide the independent outfits with a promised 'Fighting Fund' to ensure their long-term future.
The manufacturer teams have also suggested they cannot meet the requirements for them to make engines available to the smaller teams for a 10-million-dollar maximum price and Stoddart believes they are working against him.
"I was perhaps too eager to please people who, it seems, have actually been working to try to make it difficult for Minardi to continue," said Australian Stoddart. "On reading the proposed changes in detail, and taking into consideration the cost implications for Minardi, I had no choice but to withdraw my consent."
Formula One's governing body, the FIA, introduced widespread changes at the start of this season in a bid to reduce costs and improve the entertainment of the sport. They included changes to the race weekends that included the addition of a private testing session on Fridays as well as requirement in 2004 for one engine per car per race and a proposed ban on expensive traction control.
But the FIA have proposed to allow continued use of traction control providing manufacturers can supply "affordable" engines to the private teams.
The five manufacturers who have formed the Grand Prix World Championship (GPWC) - Renault, Fiat, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and BMW - insist that they cannot afford to produce engines for the expected 10 million dollars. But Stoddart issued them an ultimatum, insisting they must pay Minardi and Jordan the amount which was agreed when the 'Fighting Fund' was created at a meeting on January 15 this year as well as honour their commitment on the engines.
In a statement, the team said Minardi "might reconsider its position" if there is "significant and helpful movement" on the points Stoddart is arguing otherwise the proposed changes will not be voted through. The teams were due to vote on the changes last Friday but Stoddart added:
"I was forced to reconsider my consent to the Formula One Commission vote on the 2004 regulations and the proposed changes to the 2003 regulations."
The manufacturer teams have also suggested they cannot meet the requirements for them to make engines available to the smaller teams for a 10-million-dollar maximum price and Stoddart believes they are working against him.
"I was perhaps too eager to please people who, it seems, have actually been working to try to make it difficult for Minardi to continue," said Australian Stoddart. "On reading the proposed changes in detail, and taking into consideration the cost implications for Minardi, I had no choice but to withdraw my consent."
Formula One's governing body, the FIA, introduced widespread changes at the start of this season in a bid to reduce costs and improve the entertainment of the sport. They included changes to the race weekends that included the addition of a private testing session on Fridays as well as requirement in 2004 for one engine per car per race and a proposed ban on expensive traction control.
But the FIA have proposed to allow continued use of traction control providing manufacturers can supply "affordable" engines to the private teams.
The five manufacturers who have formed the Grand Prix World Championship (GPWC) - Renault, Fiat, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and BMW - insist that they cannot afford to produce engines for the expected 10 million dollars. But Stoddart issued them an ultimatum, insisting they must pay Minardi and Jordan the amount which was agreed when the 'Fighting Fund' was created at a meeting on January 15 this year as well as honour their commitment on the engines.
In a statement, the team said Minardi "might reconsider its position" if there is "significant and helpful movement" on the points Stoddart is arguing otherwise the proposed changes will not be voted through. The teams were due to vote on the changes last Friday but Stoddart added:
"I was forced to reconsider my consent to the Formula One Commission vote on the 2004 regulations and the proposed changes to the 2003 regulations."