Formula One news

Todt won't miss Stoddart

Ferrari's Jean Todt says he will miss Peter Sauber but not Paul Stoddart when his F1 colleagues exit the Paddock at the end of the 2005 season. "Peter is a real racer," the French F1 principal told reporters after the Belgian grand prix at Spa Francorchamps, "and did great work."

On the other hand, Todt said Stoddart 'contributed nothing to F1. "I met him once or twice when he took over Minardi and he once let Michael (Schumacher) drive his two seater. But my feelings about him have since changed."

Clearly referring to their political scuffles, Todt uttered a resolute 'no' when asked if he would miss Stoddart, after the Australian entrepreneur sold his little Italian team to Red Bull.

The Ferrari boss also thinks Stoddart's departure will be a good thing for the future of grand prix racing. Minardi's new owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, has already allied his existing team with Ferrari and the FIA by signing the new 2008 Concorde.

He added: "Mateschitz's bravery is admirable. It is courageous enough to take over a team, but to take over a second is very impressive."

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