MARCH 4, 2005

The knockout punch

Paul Stoddart gained an injunction in court in Melbourne to allow the two Minardis to take part in the event. And then suddenly for no obvious reason backed down and had his team convert the cars to 2005 specification. The decision was taken, we understand, because the FIA pointed out to the local authorities that if it allows its courts to interfere in the running of the event, it would not be very interested in holding an Australian Grand Prix in the future. This obviously turned the heads of the big cheeses in Melbourne and Stoddart was left with no choice but to back down and accept that his crusade about the rules must end, at least for this weekend.

It would be a wise idea for the whole issue to be forgotten now and we hope that there will not be any retribution later. The sport has enough problems already.