No go Minardi

[Marbot]

Just read on www.f1racing.net that Minardi may not be allowed to use their modified 2004 car.However 8 of the 9 teams say that they can use it,guess which one hasn't agreed yet.

[maximus]

Ferrari? I have heard a similar story to this, however they should be allowed to use the modified 2004 car anyway, I would have thought if its up to the 2004 regs.

[Kicking-back]

It's politicking.

Everyone wants the new Concorde agreement sorted out by Melbourne.

There won't be any problem.

[Marbot]

Technically it seems to be OK,there's a problem with the sporting side of things!

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

It's politicking.

Everyone wants the new Concorde agreement sorted out by Melbourne.

There won't be any problem.

k-b,if a large meteor,the size of Jupiter, was heading towards Earth and it was up to the FIA to stop it colliding.Would there then be a problem.

Take no notice of my previous post.

[Kicking-back]

I don't really understand the comparison, Martyn.

What you forget is that the FIA needs 20 cars on the grid for the Australian Grand Prix.

Minardi won't have any problem.

[Marbot]

I'm sure there won't be a problem but at the moment there is and it will be interesting to see how it is resolved,clearly Ferrari aren't in any hurry and are likely to make PS sweat for a while,but if the cars are illegal then they won't run anyway.Or they will run under protest.

[maximus]

Duh I just spotted the mistake in my post! I mean't 2005.

[Sodemo]

Eh?
I thought Minardi had been granted dispensation months ago to race their 2004 car in 05'?

[Kicking-back]

Storm in a tea-cup, this, Monster.

[macdaddy]

Here's a related article.

Minardi could be barred by the FIA from taking part in the March 6 F1 season kickoff at Melbourne...

[red bullet]

You should read the story at autosport.com. It gives a more realistic view of the situation. What f1racing gives us, is only half the truth.

It is not on racing the 2004spec cars because Minardi can't prepare the 2005 cars at time, but Minardi is convinced, apparently with 8 other teams, that the new rules are illegal. It fits perfectly in the whole Ferrari-FIA accusation story. If Minardi would pull this one off, they would be WDC and WCC since all the others are illegal.
Ferrari's attitude, actually a non-attitude since they don't take a stance, is understandable against that background.

[Marbot]

Maybe if Minardi were barred some teams(or all)would have to run 3 cars,not sure on that one.

I thought Minardi had already modded its 2004 spec car to 2005 spec,not sure about that one either.

Certainly if the 2005 regs were proved to be illegal and Minardi were the only team to score a point with their 2004 car in the first 3 races it might make for a very interesting championship.

I can see all the other teams bringing out their "old" cars in order to beat Minardi to the championship.

But as K-B would say i'm sure it will all be sorted in time for Melbourne.

[Gt_R]

I think the situation should be clear. If the Minardi fits the technical regulations (the 2004 car is modified to suit 2005 regulations), then it must be allowed to race. If Minardi is running 2004 cars on 2004 regulations, then it is not.

[Mr V]

A Minardi, racing in 2004 trim, would still be slower than the "big boys" even with the new regs

They must race i need to see them duff the Carlin/Kolles bunch oh how i will laugh!!!

[Testure]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Storm in a tea-cup, this, Monster.

You haven't quite got the hang of this discussion/debate lark, have ya K-b Do you think they should be allowed to run their 2004 car? If it was a last resort to keep them on the grid, I think I'd allow it. But it looks really, really poor for them.

I have to somewhat admire Stoddart's 'nads He's definitely not letting go of his position that the 2005 regulation weren't voted in in a correct (legal) manner, is he? So he's stubborn, but he's not an idiot either. The team have told us that their 2005-spec car won't be ready in time for Melbourne, which was the reason for them wanting to use the 2004-spec one for the first few races. They must have a back-up plan, surely? It's getting kinda late to bodge 2005-spec parts onto last years car! A risky strategy indeed...

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by Testure

You haven't quite got the hang of this discussion/debate lark, have ya K-b

Er, yes.

Whether I think Minardi should be allowed to run the car or not is irrelevant - because they will be allowed to run it, I'm 99.99999999% sure.

Everthing works itself out in F1 - it always does

[Testure]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Whether I think Minardi should be allowed to run the car or not is irrelevant

'Course it's not - it's a discussion forum!

Everthing works itself out in F1 - it always does

Your optimism is strange and alien to me. You're like the anti-Chicken Little

(hope i'm not being too annoying )

[esorniloc]

If the Minardi's don't run then Ferrari should have to run 4 cars to make up the numbers. Considering the other teams would let them run then its Ferrari's problem!

[Raglanparade]

Considering that the 2005 spec cars are suprisingly quicker then the 2004 spec, Minardi could run there old car and still be at the back of the grid.

They could always give Minardi a really severe penalty for the races they use the 2004 spec car.

They could make them start every GP they use the 2004 car off the back of the grid !!!

[bathurst77]

If Forza ran four cars, would be handy for Constructors champion points. Four Feraris in top 8? So only 2 cars should be allowed to score points, and they should declare which 2 BEFORE the race..

OF course I know its not going to happen, im just blue sky mining on a boring monday morning....

Minardi will race.
Perhaps they will race and be excluded after or denied points, but how many points would they have scored anyway?

Tell ya what, its Guaranteed to get them good PR and coverage for their sponsors, Esp with aussie media

"poor little Aussie owned battler minardi team being denied a race by Big bad Euro Super rich Ferrari Ogres"

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

If a team runs a third car (or more) in the race only the 1st and 2nd nominated drivers are eligible for constructors points. The third driver only picks up points for the WDC.

I'm surprised by this story, Minardi announced a long while a go they intended to run their 2004 car for the first few races. I think regardless of the outcome of this bickering between Ferrari and everyone else the stewards will quietly grant Stoddy his permission to get on the grid.

[pitcrew]

Originally Posted by esorniloc

If the Minardi's don't run then Ferrari should have to run 4 cars to make up the numbers. Considering the other teams would let them run then its Ferrari's problem!

ummm right

if the minardi is not to this year's technical regulations then it should not be allowed to race.

[Gt_R]

What's the problem people have with Ferrari? Is it Ferrari's fault too that Minardi can't make a legal car to race?

TAKEN FROM F1racing.net
--
All of the F1 teams (with the exception of Ferrari) have supported us. We believe the cars will be running to legal regulations. If Ferrari and the FIA wish to make an issue of this then it is up to them," Stoddart told to Autosport.


Albers not in Melbourne?
FIA-President Max Mosley was clear though: "If there was no prior agreement and Minardi presented to us the 2004 car, which would be illegal under the current regulations. So the scrutineers would not put a sticker on it and it would never go out of the pit lane in Australia."

Stoddart replied to that: "We say the cars do comply and if the scrutineers say no then we would protest, and I would be surprised if we were not allowed to race under protest."

--

READ... Firstly, there is no public or strong objection from Ferrari. Ferrari uses a 2004 car which is modified to fully comply 2005 regulations. If Minardi does the same, there is no grounds nor reason why it can't race.

Secondly, Stoddart said "all the teams supported us... IF Ferrari and FIA wish to make an issue..". IF. Is it a fact known to Stoddart or is he assuming?

FIA's stance on this issue is clear. What Max says is that if the car doesn't comply to 2005 technical regulation, it would not be approved. If it does, then it can race. Simple as that. The ball is in Stoddart's court, and if he wish to make an a$$ out of it, then it's up to him.

I'm tired of Stoddart's constant dragging of Ferrari into his petty arguments. Minardi can run 2003 or 2002 or even 1994 car for all Ferrari cares, it won't make much difference to Ferrari as it does to other teams. It's not as if Minardi is much of a big deal or threat to Ferrari, and i honestly don't think Ferrari would be bothered to waste time squabbling with them. Stoddart should get his job done, and not drag a name like Minardi across the mud.