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Minardi cars miss practice for Aussie GP
Minardi could miss a start on the opening session of Australian Formula One Grand Prix after they failed to get Ferrari backing for their cars to compete in the race.
Minardi could miss a start in Sunday's season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix after they failed to get Ferrari backing for their cars to compete in the race.
Australian Paul Stoddart, owner of the F1 minnows, said Friday he had not received agreement from Ferrari principal Jean Todt to run last year's cars at the Aussie GP without the new 2005 safety package.
Minardi say they have not been able to afford to comply with new rules aimed at slowing Formula One cars down.
They can race if all the other teams give their approval, and only Ferrari have refused their consent.
As a result the Minardi team garage doors remained shut while the other nine teams had their first run on the Melbourne street circuit in opening practice.
Unless agreement can be reached before Saturday's first qualifying session then Minardi will miss a start and have to return to Italy.
Stoddart said he had the signatures of the other eight team principlals agreeing that he be allowed to run the 2004-model cars which have not been updated to 2005 specifications.
Stoddart said Todt, who only arrived here late on Thursday, had asked the controlling body FIA to become involved but they declined to do.
"They told him it was a matter between Ferrari and Minardi and not the FIA but they did confirm that without a letter from him the stewards would not allow the cars to run," Stoddart said on Friday.
"I am now waiting for the Ferrari lawyers in New York to construct a letter that I can take to the stewards."
FIA president Max Mosley said Stoddart and Minardi had known about the new season regulations for almost six months.
"Paul has known about the new bodywork regulations since September 6 2004 and in fact his team voted for them that day in common with all the other teams," Mosley said.
"We understand that he has the latest bodywork in Melbourne, even if he has not yet tested it fully.
"We also understand that at least three teams would object to him running outside the regulations.
"If he decides not to run, we think it unlikely that the Melbourne organisers will seek compensation from him."
