Ford Forums banner

Minardi, Webber line up for cash

967 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  ZH_302 
#1 ·
MINARDI is looking to reap the rewards of finishing fifth in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, with several local companies keen to kick in some money after Mark Webber's success on home soil.

While fifth place is generally not a noteworthy result in most sporting arenas, in F1 racing it represents big money and global exposure.
Minardi's Australian-born, British-based owner Paul Stoddart has been unsuccessfully hammering corporate Australia for support for years. Until last week he was getting little reaction.

But things have changed after Webber and Minardi's performance on Sunday. BHP Billiton chief executive-elect Brian Gilbertson was one noteworthy name Stoddart took in his special two-seater F1 Minardi at the weekend's grand prix.

"It's early but we have had some very serious approaches from very well known and respected companies in this country," Stoddart said.

"We have to transfer that into hard cash because it's only hard cash that's going to lift us up the grid."

Minardi's post-race celebrations kicked on all Sunday night with 600 people, including world champion Michael Schumacher, attending a function for the team in the Melbourne suburb of Prahan.

Webber left Melbourne yesterday morning for Queensland to focus on fitness training before going to Malaysia on the weekend for the season's second GP in Kuala Lumpur on March 17.

Webber's stunning success in his debut F1 grand prix netted the Minardi team their first points in three seasons.

Scoring points translates immediately into cash terms for Minardi, which will now be included in the mix when it comes to the distribution of television rights money and travel allowances, which are divided among the points winners.

"In terms of TV money we have benefitted with between $US10 million ($20 million) and $US15 million, which is a relief because it gives you that kick start," Stoddart said.

The cynics will say Webber and Minardi have got their first and last points for the year and Stoddart is not necessarily doubting them. But he insists any sponsor will be on a winner with the Italian-based grid minnow.

"You're always better off with a team that's on its way up, as opposed to one that's stable or has peaked," he said.
 
See less See more
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top