10/11/2006
NEWS STORY
Former Minardi team boss, Paul Stoddart, is expected to make his plans for a Champ Car team public this weekend.
Since selling his team to Red Bull in late 2005, the Australian has been looking for a way in which he could re-enter racing.
Though he did make a bid for the 'vacant' slot on the 2008 entry list, the fact is that the sport has moved on, and there is no longer a place in F1 - at least in real terms - for teams without manufacturer support.
There was then talk of a GP2 team, but Stoddart lost out to Gian Carlo Minardi, who is to join forces with Piquet Sport, in a move which is understood to have had the full support of Bernie Ecclestone.
Consequently, Stoddart appears to have 'settled' for Champ Cars, with the Australian admitting that Minardi will "almost certainly" be on the grid next season.
Despite selling the Minardi F1 Team to Red Bull, the Australian retains the team name.
This weekend sees the final round of the 2006 Champ Car season, at Mexico City, the former F1 track, and it is thought that Stoddart will use the occasion to make an announcement.
A number of drivers have been linked with Stoddart's Champ Car venture, including Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson, both of whom drove for him in F1. However, according to Pitpass' sources, Patrick Friesacher is also in the frame.