Respect to Paul Stoddart
Discussion
It's only one man's point of view. You have to wonder what Max Mosely is trying to achieve through his actions if this is true?
I think F1 does need a strong leader at the top or the teams will never agree anything.
But let's face it, the Mosely family history in politics more chequered than the finishing flag at a Grand Prix.
I think F1 does need a strong leader at the top or the teams will never agree anything.
But let's face it, the Mosely family history in politics more chequered than the finishing flag at a Grand Prix.
So what is/was todt's problem..? I have given up watching F1 (its on at around 430am here for a start!) but if there is an issue womewhere with the race, it is *always* Ferrari who are being the obstructive party. In a case like this it was clear that something *should have been done between the united teams. Having one team constantly at odds is annoying more than anything...
MM needs a swift jolt in the janglies though IMO...
MM needs a swift jolt in the janglies though IMO...
Buffalo said:
So what is/was Todt's problem..?
I've heard it desribed as a "Total War" policy. Ferrari will do whatever it takes to achieve victory:
- The only criterion for a decision is what will best aid Ferrari's objectives?
- Never compromise, even if it might be better in the long run or in the greater scheme of things.
- Deliberately screw up opponents.
- Spread fear, distrust, confusion.
I'm not passing judgement, or slagging Ferrari, or attempting to start an argument, but you can see that this is the policy they follow. Short-term it can achieve success, but long-term it inevitably leads to absurdity and failure, especially once your opponents follow a similar policy - it has to lead to mutually assured destruction or last man standing (and has now been proven, a Grand Prix comprising just the two Ferraris racing does not make for happy customers).
Cynics have suggested that Todt, Brawn and Schumacher don't care about the long term, as their contracts all end in 2006.
JAZ 34 said:
You have to admire Paul Stoddart.
I think he has the true spirit of F1 and what it should be about.
Like going to the Oz GP with an outdated car which he claimed was legal to race??? The getting a local tin-pot court case up and running against the FIA in a matter of hours. Then claiming that he would protest that all 2005-spec cars were illegal? And then finally wheeling out the 2005 spec cars THAT WERE WAITING TO BE RACED from the garages?
The bloke's a total arse, does nothing but moan and pull cheap publicity stunts, and then takes the side that will give him the most favourable publicity.
If he felt so strongly about it, he could have pulled both cars from the US GP. That would have made more of a statement - a Bridgestone runner pulling out to support the Michelin's. But then he would have missed out on the points, and the travelling bonuses. And let's face, Minardi won't score any more points this year.
GarrettMacD said:
You have to admire Paul Stoddart.
I think he has the true spirit of F1 and what it should be about.
Like going to the Oz GP with an outdated car which he claimed was legal to race??? The getting a local tin-pot court case up and running against the FIA in a matter of hours. Then claiming that he would protest that all 2005-spec cars were illegal? And then finally wheeling out the 2005 spec cars THAT WERE WAITING TO BE RACED from the garages?
The bloke's a total arse, does nothing but moan and pull cheap publicity stunts, and then takes the side that will give him the most favourable publicity.
If he felt so strongly about it, he could have pulled both cars from the US GP. That would have made more of a statement - a Bridgestone runner pulling out to support the Michelin's. But then he would have missed out on the points, and the travelling bonuses. And let's face, Minardi won't score any more points this year.
The car met all the 2005 safety criteria but the 2005 spec bodywork was almost completely untested. It was not sure whether the wings were strong enough to withstand a full race distance. He had a letter that was (just after 1st qualy where the minardi's did not go out) signed by all the teams stating they were happy for them to race with 2004 spec bodywork. The cars were no just magically brought out the garage, the mechanics had to work flat out all night to get the cars up to spec and they were completely untested.
He did not pull out of the race in Indy as Jordan had decided to race. The points he scored will make a huge difference to his end of your payment and he would have lost a huge amount of money by not racing.
Also imagine what the FIA would have done to minardi if he were to pull out. He had no reason and would have been dealt with extremely harshly which would have had a very negative affect on the team as a whole not just him.
He is the only person in F1 who has the guts to stand up and voice his opinion. He has no huge car manufacture to answer to, he is the boss and so can say what he wants.
The car met all the 2005 safety criteria but the 2005 spec bodywork was almost completely untested.[/quote]
Hardly the FIA's fault that Minardi were unable to test new bodywork, especially since the new regs had been known for at least 3 months
He had a letter that was (just after 1st qualy where the minardi's did not go out) signed by all the teams stating they were happy for them to race with 2004 spec bodywork.[/quote]
Err, it's up to the FIA to decide who races. That's why they regulate all the teams, to decide who is legit and who isn't
The cars were no just magically brought out the garage, the mechanics had to work flat out all night to get the cars up to spec and they were completely untested.[/quote]
Just like the mechanics at the majority of F1 teams on the night before a practice session then?
He did not pull out of the race in Indy as Jordan had decided to race. The points he scored will make a huge difference to his end of your payment and he would have lost a huge amount of money by not racing.[/quote]
The BIG difference being that Jordan took the points and kept shut. Minardi took the points, and the money FIRST, then let rip.
Also imagine what the FIA would have done to minardi if he were to pull out.[/quote]
He could have retired both cars within 1 lap, thus meeting the 'start' criteria but also not scoring points
Hardly the FIA's fault that Minardi were unable to test new bodywork, especially since the new regs had been known for at least 3 months
He had a letter that was (just after 1st qualy where the minardi's did not go out) signed by all the teams stating they were happy for them to race with 2004 spec bodywork.[/quote]
Err, it's up to the FIA to decide who races. That's why they regulate all the teams, to decide who is legit and who isn't
The cars were no just magically brought out the garage, the mechanics had to work flat out all night to get the cars up to spec and they were completely untested.[/quote]
Just like the mechanics at the majority of F1 teams on the night before a practice session then?
He did not pull out of the race in Indy as Jordan had decided to race. The points he scored will make a huge difference to his end of your payment and he would have lost a huge amount of money by not racing.[/quote]
The BIG difference being that Jordan took the points and kept shut. Minardi took the points, and the money FIRST, then let rip.
Also imagine what the FIA would have done to minardi if he were to pull out.[/quote]
He could have retired both cars within 1 lap, thus meeting the 'start' criteria but also not scoring points
HiRich said:
I'm not passing judgement, or slagging Ferrari,
I am though. They could almost justify their attitude when they were winning every race, but they aren't any more. They've been an also-ran at best in nearly every race this season. They have greatly contributed into the transformation of F1 from a sport into an industry.
I think MM's attitude stinks, and he needs to be given the boot ASAP.
I think Bernie "son of Davros" was very good at getting the sport the profile it deserves, but has lost the plot a little now...albeit he still retains enough political savvy to let MM take the flak
I think JT and Ferrari are so far up their own arses they can see daylight again. This has nothing to do with their success, but with their attitude.
I think Bernie "son of Davros" was very good at getting the sport the profile it deserves, but has lost the plot a little now...albeit he still retains enough political savvy to let MM take the flak
I think JT and Ferrari are so far up their own arses they can see daylight again. This has nothing to do with their success, but with their attitude.
GarrettMacD said:
Hardly the FIA's fault that Minardi were unable to test new bodywork, especially since the new regs had been known for at least 3 months
The team could not afford to test the new bodywork and could only just afford to get it made in the first place. They brought this up when the rules were introduced and the letter they had was signed by all but one team 2 months before the race!
GarrettMacD said:
Err, it's up to the FIA to decide who races. That's why they regulate all the teams, to decide who is legit and who isn't
The decision to allow them to not race was not down to the FIA. The track stewards initially made the decision and were backed up by the FIA. When he got the courts support the FIA were angrey that he had gone behind there back and so they started being very harsh towards them. The point is if all the teams agreed then how should it matter to anyone else?
GarrettMacD said:
Just like the mechanics at the majority of F1 teams on the night before a practice session then?
No not at all. They usually finish at about 6 local time and go out for a nice meal and a drink, to the hotel and early to bed. With no engine changes allowed there really is only a limited amountof work to do to the cars.
GarrettMacD said:
The BIG difference being that Jordan took the points and kept shut. Minardi took the points, and the money FIRST, then let rip.
PS made it perfectly clear just before the race started that if Jordan did not race then he wouldn't. He also states that if Jordan pulled with technical problems or crashed then he would pull out his drivers. He simply could not afford to not race if Jordan did race.
He also states Bridgestone requested him to race as well. He couldn't really upset the FIA, sponsors and his Tyre supplier in one go - that would be to much even for PS.
I feel for the guy, he is entertaining, enjoys racing, has kept Minardi going on a shoestring budget, has got Alonso,Webber & Wilson (now champ cars) all noticed, and also turns up to ALL the races unlike one head of FIA MM.
I feel for the guy, he is entertaining, enjoys racing, has kept Minardi going on a shoestring budget, has got Alonso,Webber & Wilson (now champ cars) all noticed, and also turns up to ALL the races unlike one head of FIA MM.
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