What is it about Minardi that make people love them?

[NiceGuyEddie]

So, what exactly is it? Why does one applaude a team that has just enough resources to take part in F1 racing, but does not have near enough resources to actually compete? I´ve heard people say that Minardi, because they are running against the odds, are representing the ´true passion´ of motorsport. How is that? Shouldn´t true passion start at actually competing, rather than simply taking part and leaving it at that? Besides, how can we tell from the outside what team is in it for the passion and what team is in it for the money? Does it really matter? Perhaps it matters when the decision of staying on the grid has to be taken, but then again, what exactly would we be losing if Minardi faults?

When was the last time that Minardi contributed anything to the race itself, and I do not mean taking a point because there are only eight runners to finish?

And then: why would Minardi be more appropriate for motorracing than the ´big´ teams? Is Paul Stoddard (or Giancarlo Minardi for the matter) more of a racingperson than Toyota´s Ove Andersson? Or Jean Todt? The money may come from big, non-personal companies, but the job is usually carried out by those who have an honest history in racing.

What is it that sets Minardi apart and why would they be missed?

I only see them getting in the way of racing...