Minardi drop legal threat

Paul Stoddart has dropped his legal action against Australian Grand Prix stewards and Minardi will compete this weekend with 2005 cars after hasty modifications.

The Australian had gone to Victoria’s Supreme Court to argue his case that Minardi should be allowed to race with 2004-specification cars after receiving unanimous approval from teams.

Race stewards dismissed his case as “unacceptable” but a judge granted him an injunction to allow Minardi to compete in today’s practice and qualifying pending another hearing later today.

However, that will not now take place after Stoddart dropped his legal action, claiming he had proved his point that Formula One needed better governance.

Stoddart, who confessed to smoking 100 cigarettes a day during the last four days of arguments, said: “I think it was a landmark decision that court actually saw fit to uphold the law as opposed to the FIA’s regulations.

“There was no point in us continuing this beyond proving the point that we need good governance and stable regulations.

“We have done that and after a lengthy series of meetings that finished roughly around midnight last night, in the interests of the Australian Grand Prix which had been embroiled in this battle, together with the interests of Formula One as a sport, we have decided to discontinue the action.

“We don’t feel there is anything more to prove, we feel we have taken it as far as we need to take it.”

Minardi mechanics worked extra hours to convert the 2004 cars to new aerodynamic rules, although Stoddart confessed his team will be well off the pace.

Just minutes after Stoddart’s announcement, race stewards confirmed they were happy with both Minardis and would allow them to race.

Stoddart added: “Throughout the night we have managed to convert two cars to 2005 specification and we will be running.

“As far as we are concerned the matter is over but the message is very, very clear.

“We want stable and clean, clear precise regulations in this sport for the long-term future.”