04/03/2005
NEWS STORY
The Minardi team was unable to take part in today's first free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, as the row over the legality of its cars continues.
The team wishes to enter its 2004 cars, claiming that it has the agreement of all the other teams bar Ferrari.
However, on Thursday, Red Bull boss Christian Horner admitted that his team had not agreed to the move, while FIA president Max Mosley says that as many as three teams are refusing to agree to Stoddart's demands.
"We understand that at least three teams would object to him running outside the regulations," said Mosley.
However, Stoddart lays the blame firmly at the door of Ferrari, and in particular team boss Jean Todt.
"We are a victim of political games," he told reporters.
Todt insists that the decision as to whether Minardi participates rests not with Ferrari but the governing body, however that failed to cut the ice with spectators who booed the Ferraris - Melbourne being Stoddart's home town.
Meanwhile, adding insult to injury, Mosley revealed that he believes Stoddart is naive with regards his stance as 'shop steward' to the nine rebel teams - a stance that many beleive is the root of the current furore.
"I think Paul is a bit too trusting, even naïve," said Mosley. "One or two team principals who now pretend to be his best friends are the same individuals who tried to grab his Minardi money a couple of years ago. They were only stopped because the FIA insisted he should get what was due to him. They then said Paul had no place in Formula One.
"They are using him now, but will turn on him as soon as it suits them," added the Englishman. "Paul is doing the best he can, but in the end only the FIA protects the independent teams in Formula One."