Minardi boss says Wilson worth his place

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart insists it is wrong to class Britain’s Justin Wilson as a Formula One ‘pay and go’ driver – even though he had to bring £2m (€3.12m) sponsorship to the team.

The 24-year-old Sheffield racer was guaranteed a seat in the Minardi for the 2003 campaign after coming up with the money to boost Minardi’s meagre budget compared to other outfits on the grid.