Paul Stoddart, genius or deluded fool?
Discussion
Considering they have a tiny budget, they seem to get at least as much coverage as every one else, with PS being very, very outspoken on most subjects.
Whilst I applaude his efforts I do wonder if he has an agenda beyond minardi. Do we think the rumours of max mosleys job going to him might be true?
D
Whilst I applaude his efforts I do wonder if he has an agenda beyond minardi. Do we think the rumours of max mosleys job going to him might be true?
D
He is the last of a breed in F1. Once Stoddart is gone, the "business" of F1 will be just that, a "business" with all the emphasis on how F1 fits into a corporation's "maerketing strategy" and being run my corporate "clones".
It's largely become like that anyway. Witness Midland F1's recent comment on why they bought Jordan - "It fits into our business profile".
What the hell does that mean. Wouldn't it have been nicer if they said "We love motor racing and it's always been our ambition to race in F1".
It's largely become like that anyway. Witness Midland F1's recent comment on why they bought Jordan - "It fits into our business profile".
What the hell does that mean. Wouldn't it have been nicer if they said "We love motor racing and it's always been our ambition to race in F1".
Eric Mc said:
He is the last of a breed in F1. Once Stoddart is gone, the "business" of F1 will be just that, a "business" with all the emphasis on how F1 fits into a corporation's "maerketing strategy" and being run my corporate "clones".
It's largely become like that anyway. Witness Midland F1's recent comment on why they bought Jordan - "It fits into our business profile".
What the hell does that mean. Wouldn't it have been nicer if they said "We love motor racing and it's always been our ambition to race in F1".
He's knows everyone's first name and uses it. He also has a habit of driving his own cars. Over in Woking big Ron commands about as much respect as the Queen and is similarly elusive.Midland's Business profile might be a little cash starved soon of this turns ugly for them.
Grand Prix.com said:
Students of the real world in Formula 1 will have noticed that last week the new Ukrainian government headed by Yulia Timoshenko announced that it is to reverse the controversial sale of the state-owned Kryvorizhstal steel works so that the firm can go back on the market at a higher price. One of the world's largest steel plants was sold last year to a group of investors that included the son-in-law of former President Leonid Kuchma. The winning bid was $800m and higher bids from foreign companies were rejected. Timoshenko said her government was cancelling "illegal" decisions by the former administration. It remains to be seen how the government will decide which deals were correct and which were not.
One would assume that all is well with the sale of the sale of the Zaporozhstal steel works in 1997. This was acquired from the government by Midland, which recently became the owner of the Jordan Formula 1 team. The Midland empire, which is now largely outside the Ukraine, was founded on the success of Zaporozhstal.
I expect Minardi will be allowed to run their 2004 cars for the first 3 races of the year while they get the new car ready. That way the FIA avoid a legal challenge to the 2005 rules, www.grandprix.com/ns/ns14254.html has more info.
As an aside, the off season in Formula 1 this year has been far more interesting than any of the racing was. The t on the end of FIA is getting clearer every day.
As an aside, the off season in Formula 1 this year has been far more interesting than any of the racing was. The t on the end of FIA is getting clearer every day.
I believe the rumours are that Jean Todt will replace him after his impeccable record with Peugeot WRC and dakar teams and thier highly succesful stint in world sports cars with thier lemans project, and given the fact hes been with ferrari for some 10years plus he has already been pre-approved to become the sports next top-dog.
If correct I fear the future of F1.
Surely they should enlist the services of someone whom his highly regard in business and by all means very unbiased.
If correct I fear the future of F1.
Surely they should enlist the services of someone whom his highly regard in business and by all means very unbiased.
Eric Mc said:
It's largely become like that anyway. Witness Midland F1's recent comment on why they bought Jordan - "It fits into our business profile".
Not heard that, and its really quite worrying- we all know that a new chairman, or new business plan will find that F1 doies not fit with its business profile, and they simply stop. Nine teams, anyone?
I think Stoddart is a pain in the ass. I like his team, but why does he moan constantly? His latest beef, with regards to starting with a 2004 spec car, why should Minardi be rewarded because - for whatever reason - their car is rubbish? No wonder Ferrari don't like the idea since they've just made their 2004 comply. Everyone bemoans Ferrari's spending, but they want them to spend more to make their car 2005 compatible but say Minardi shouldn't have to.
The stucture of F1 rewards success. Therefore, Minardi are usually bottom of the pecking order when it comes to the share outs. However, the absolute logic of this system is that the successful teams get bigger anddbigger slices of cash - thereby outspending the poorer teams - thereby becoming more and more successful. The ultimate outcome of this progression is that, one by one, teams will drop out until there is only one ultimate victor left - and F1 will be finished.
As I said earlier, there used to be 17 teams turning up for each GP. Now there are 10. Something is going wrong somewhere.
As I said earlier, there used to be 17 teams turning up for each GP. Now there are 10. Something is going wrong somewhere.
It was only back in 1991 (which is actually a long time ago now I think of it 
) that we used to have regular pre-qualifying seesion on Fridays, when 4 cars would be sent home early and not even have a chance to qualify or race. The last pre-qualifers were in 1992, the Andrea Moda team with Roberto Moreno and Perry "Lord Stig the 1st" McCarthy.
Remembering the 107% rule in force today you have to remember back then those who didn't pre-qualify would have been a lot slower than even that. So Minardi as a team and on pace (as long as the driver is a good one) is doing very well.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 17th February 14:46
) that we used to have regular pre-qualifying seesion on Fridays, when 4 cars would be sent home early and not even have a chance to qualify or race. The last pre-qualifers were in 1992, the Andrea Moda team with Roberto Moreno and Perry "Lord Stig the 1st" McCarthy. Remembering the 107% rule in force today you have to remember back then those who didn't pre-qualify would have been a lot slower than even that. So Minardi as a team and on pace (as long as the driver is a good one) is doing very well.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 17th February 14:46
FesterNath said:Unlike Ferrari though, Minardi have been in the unenviable position of trying to design their car around an engine-shaped hole due to the long period when the fate of Cosworth (and therefore their engine supply) hung in the balance.
I think Stoddart is a pain in the ass. I like his team, but why does he moan constantly? His latest beef, with regards to starting with a 2004 spec car, why should Minardi be rewarded because - for whatever reason - their car is rubbish? No wonder Ferrari don't like the idea since they've just made their 2004 comply. Everyone bemoans Ferrari's spending, but they want them to spend more to make their car 2005 compatible but say Minardi shouldn't have to.
It may be fair to say that it's not Paul Stoddart's fault but it's still his problem. OTOH isn't it in the governing bodies' interest to have Minardi racing rather than not?
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