Celebs could spice up F1 show

Stars such as Kylie Minogue or Ronaldo could be taking part in celebrity races next year as grand prix bosses attempt to spice up the Formula One show.

The plan was discussed today as fears that the British Grand Prix in two weeks’ time would be thrown into chaos lessened.

Team principals are looking to act with the attendance for last Sunday’s European Grand Prix in Germany down by around 30,000 despite the presence of the Schumacher brothers and a three-team fight for the championship.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart believe races have to follow the Australian Grand Prix model, where the weekend is packed with support events with local celebrities and sportsmen taking part.

“We are aware that people have not got much to come to on a Sunday,” said Stoddart, who believes having celebrities in his two-seater cars would be a major attraction.

“Look at the Australian Grand Prix. It is non-stop action from Thursday to Sunday. We have got to look after the people that look after us. The viewers, the listeners and punters that come to races otherwise we are really in trouble.

“I have proposed to run the celebrity two-seaters on Sunday mornings. They could be anyone like Ronaldo or Kylie. There are loads of celebrities who come to races, some want to get in the cars, some don’t.

“Imagine if each team had a two-seater painted in their colours with their test driver or a previous driver driving the cars.

“We could have a celebrity championship and anyone could win it because the cars would be equal. I think it would be a fantastic thing for the spectacle of F1.”

Stoddart is hopeful that after a meeting of all the teams and Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone that a deal to ensure the survival of the independent teams for this season at least could be near.

The Australian had threatened to create confusion at Silverstone on July 23 by taking all driver aids off his cars, claiming a loophole in the 2003 regulation meant the rest of the cars would be illegal.

Stoddart, battling to secure the future of the sport’s smallest team, had demanded his fellow bosses moved to set up a fighting fund to aid independent outfits and agree on a supply of affordable engines next season.

“We have made good progress,” said Stoddart. “Will it come to a satisfactory conclusion? Well I have been hurt before, thinking we have got an agreement, only to find out we haven’t so I will reserve judgement.

“We should not be going to Silverstone with this cloud hanging over our heads, it’s not good for the sport. What a crazy situation we would have not knowing if some of the cars are legal and some aren’t.

“I have got to be the optimist and hope in the coming days that we end up with a complete agreement between team principals.

“I would like to think this whole thing could be put to bed. Hopefully we can get agreement on the fighting fund’, US dollars 10million commercially affordable engines, the 2004 regulations and clarification of the 2003 regulations.”

F1 bosses are also understood to be considering changing the qualifying format again from next season with the final grid decided on Sunday mornings instead of Saturday.

The rule was changed this year with the introduction of a single lap format in an attempt to shake up the grid following last season’s domination by Ferrari.