sledge
05-07-2003, 13:27
Minardi Action Threatens Silverstone Chaos
Fri July 4, 2003 08:30 AM ET
By Alan Baldwin
MAGNY-COURS, France (Reuters) - Minardi could throw this month's British Formula One Grand Prix into disarray with a move Friday that threatened rivals with possible disqualification.
Team owner Paul Stoddart said his drivers, British rookie Justin Wilson and Dutchman Jos Verstappen, would race at Silverstone on July 20 without so-called 'driver aids' -- traction control, radios and even water bottles.
The Australian, whose cars are the slowest in Formula One, told Reuters at the French Grand Prix that his interpretation of existing rules was that driver aids were illegal from Silverstone and he had informed rival teams.
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley confirmed he had received a copy of the letter and that there was a potential threat.
"What they seem to be saying in the letter is that they may then protest other teams," said Mosley.
"We have a rule that has been there for many years saying that all driver aids are prohibited," he added. "If there were a protest it would be a matter for the stewards."
Asked whether a situation could arise where the race was run and stewards then upheld a Minardi protest against other teams running with driver aids, disqualifying them and declaring Minardi the winners, Mosley replied:
"Theoretically, yes. But obviously the teams would have their side of the case to put. The stewards would hear the case and decide it."
The FIA said at the start of the season that it would enforce strictly an existing ban on traction control and other aids from Silverstone.
That decision was later shelved in exchange for an agreement by manufacturers to provide affordable engines and assist struggling smaller teams.
Stoddart, whose team was rescued by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in Canada last month after Minardi's rivals ruled out financial help, said the terms of the agreement had not been met.
"Although we've discussed a lot this year about ways of retaining at least traction control, nothing has actually been fulfilled and agreed," he said.
"I believe the rules, as they are written today, would mean that from Silverstone we have to comply with them. And the rules are that the driver must drive the car unaided."
Stoddart said he would be happy for rivals to offer alternative interpretations and said he had made his position clear to allow time for a solution.
"In the extreme...I suppose the option exists to every team principal or competitor to protest another one if he believes they have an illegal car," he added.
"I'm not saying I would do that, but the option is there.
"I would far rather this was all sorted out, that we change the regulations to reflect what we are actually doing and not leave an almighty loophole for all kinds of things to be done."
Bron: www.reuters.com
Ze krijgen het daar wel hoog in hun kop ze :no:
Fri July 4, 2003 08:30 AM ET
By Alan Baldwin
MAGNY-COURS, France (Reuters) - Minardi could throw this month's British Formula One Grand Prix into disarray with a move Friday that threatened rivals with possible disqualification.
Team owner Paul Stoddart said his drivers, British rookie Justin Wilson and Dutchman Jos Verstappen, would race at Silverstone on July 20 without so-called 'driver aids' -- traction control, radios and even water bottles.
The Australian, whose cars are the slowest in Formula One, told Reuters at the French Grand Prix that his interpretation of existing rules was that driver aids were illegal from Silverstone and he had informed rival teams.
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley confirmed he had received a copy of the letter and that there was a potential threat.
"What they seem to be saying in the letter is that they may then protest other teams," said Mosley.
"We have a rule that has been there for many years saying that all driver aids are prohibited," he added. "If there were a protest it would be a matter for the stewards."
Asked whether a situation could arise where the race was run and stewards then upheld a Minardi protest against other teams running with driver aids, disqualifying them and declaring Minardi the winners, Mosley replied:
"Theoretically, yes. But obviously the teams would have their side of the case to put. The stewards would hear the case and decide it."
The FIA said at the start of the season that it would enforce strictly an existing ban on traction control and other aids from Silverstone.
That decision was later shelved in exchange for an agreement by manufacturers to provide affordable engines and assist struggling smaller teams.
Stoddart, whose team was rescued by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in Canada last month after Minardi's rivals ruled out financial help, said the terms of the agreement had not been met.
"Although we've discussed a lot this year about ways of retaining at least traction control, nothing has actually been fulfilled and agreed," he said.
"I believe the rules, as they are written today, would mean that from Silverstone we have to comply with them. And the rules are that the driver must drive the car unaided."
Stoddart said he would be happy for rivals to offer alternative interpretations and said he had made his position clear to allow time for a solution.
"In the extreme...I suppose the option exists to every team principal or competitor to protest another one if he believes they have an illegal car," he added.
"I'm not saying I would do that, but the option is there.
"I would far rather this was all sorted out, that we change the regulations to reflect what we are actually doing and not leave an almighty loophole for all kinds of things to be done."
Bron: www.reuters.com
Ze krijgen het daar wel hoog in hun kop ze :no: