Formula One news
Interview with Paul Stoddart
27 December 2006Former Minardi F1 boss Paul Stoddart speaks to F1Racing.net about his recent acquisition of the CTE Racing - HVM Champ Car team and Formula One...
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Why did you choose HVM team for your Champ Car ambition?
I looked at four different Champ Car teams and I felt that HVM, given the budget they were operating, and including the background of being a real fighter, was really the team for us. They finished fourth in the Championship with a race win and really did punch above their weight. They represented the best setup we could invest in and also the fact that they've been used to spending very little money certainly swayed our decision as well.
What's happening with the possibilty of Minardi Team USA being a multiple-car team for next season?
We have the capability for a third car. What it comes down to is funding. We have a fully funded two-car programme at the moment and with the right level of sponsorship that could obviously turn to a three-car programme.
What's the thinking behind running a third car?
Firstly with the new car [Panoz has replaced Lola as the chassis-supplier] the advantages are big because everybody's going to hit the ground reasonably on a level playing field this year. As a result if you've got a third car out there then you're accumulating mileage and testing data one third more than people with two cars.
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What will your role be?
Keith will continue to handle the day to day running of the team because clearly I'm not in the States. But my role will be that of team principal and obviously the person responsible for paying the bills.
What's Cedric 'the entertainer's' involvement?
Cedric is very involved with the third car. What will happen is if we have a third car some of his sponsorship connections will help fund that car and don't be surprised to see his name on one or more of the cars. The team will be running as Minardi Team USA because we hope to enhance and develop the role with Cedric and I think there's quite a lot of work being put into that and it will be a shame to lose that.
What's the criteria for drivers?
First of all their talent - there's no question about that. We're not open to pay drivers without talent. Secondly, especially with regards to the third car they need to have some sponsorship money.
Are you waiting to see who Toro Rosso signs before you can make a confirmation?
Not really no. We're actively negotiating with four drivers as we speak. I'm pretty sure there will be at least one Dutch driver in our team but negotiations are not finalised yet so we've got to wait and see how that turns out. But I am confident there will be at least one Dutch driver in the team.
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Is Jos Verstappen your first choice?
Oh yeah, Jos is at the top of our list. Obviously a driver of Jos' pedigree and talent makes him that. There are sponsorship issues and we've got to get to terms with all of that. That's what we're working on now and I'm hoping to announce one if not both the drivers before 15 January.
Why have you kept the Minardi name?
I think the Minardi name is synonymous with 21 years of blood, sweat and tears in motor racing at the highest level. When I sold Minardi to Red Bull I retained the rights to the name and we've continued to trade with Minardi in the UK so the name has never really gone away. Yes, I could have called it Stoddart Racing or something but I felt that the Minardi name has heritage and a certain amount of credibility. I thought it was right to go with the Minardi name as it brings something to the brand of ChampCar and it would be great to see Minardi up there on the podium.
Will other F1 principals be following you into Champ Car?
It's hard to say, there's certainly some people out there who still haven't made a decision as to what they are going to be doing in the future and I'm sure there's some disgruntled people still in Formula One. Only time will tell. I'm certainly the only one that's gone forward with it but if there are others waiting in the wings we are yet to see.
Would you like to get back into F1?
I'd love to but I think the door's firmly been shut in everyone's faces for the next five years. I think before I go back there's got to be big changes. If a new regime comes in there might be a new opportunity but at the moment the way the rules are being made and the way the teams are being treated I'm actually pretty happy to be out.
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