Minardi blow as sponsor quits

Formula One’s perennial strugglers Minardi suffered a blow today when their title sponsor quit.

Dutch bathroom company Wilux were Minardi’s principal backers at the start of the season but their relationship with the Anglo-Italian team deteriorated in recent weeks.

The company objected to Minardi’s decision to run their cars with no sponsorship at the British Grand Prix in memory of the team’s late sporting director John Walton.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart revealed at the weekend he was owed money by Wilux and promised not to stand in the company’s way should they wish to leave Formula One.

Today, Wilux accepted his invitation and have parted company with Minardi.

A Minardi statement read: “Due to irreconcilable differences concerning, among other things, the decision by Minardi to run without sponsorship livery in the 2004 British Grand Prix and the decision by Wilux not to adhere to contractual payments, sadly, the sponsorship agreement between Wilux and Minardi has been terminated today.

“The team wishes Wilux every success in the future.”