Minardi blow as sponsor quits

beer enigma

Ouch....that gotta hurt !



Formula One’s perennial strugglers Minardi suffered a blow today when their title sponsor quit.

Dutch bathroom company Wilux were Minardi’s principal backers at the start of the season but their relationship with the Anglo-Italian team deteriorated in recent weeks.

The company objected to Minardi’s decision to run their cars with no sponsorship at the British Grand Prix in memory of the team’s late sporting director John Walton.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart revealed at the weekend he was owed money by Wilux and promised not to stand in the company’s way should they wish to leave Formula One.

Today, Wilux accepted his invitation and have parted company with Minardi.

A Minardi statement read: “Due to irreconcilable differences concerning, among other things, the decision by Minardi to run without sponsorship livery in the 2004 British Grand Prix and the decision by Wilux not to adhere to contractual payments, sadly, the sponsorship agreement between Wilux and Minardi has been terminated today.

“The team wishes Wilux every success in the future.”

mike65

Oh dear if Minardi make it to the end of the season it'll proberly be on the back of a bail-out from Uncle Bernie which he might do if only to help preserve a semblence of competition on the grid.

Mike.

Nuttzz

how long before EJ picks up the phone to them?????

Devilman

the new rules to reduce costs cant come soon enough

BrianD3

Poor Minardi, I've always had a lot of time for them. People who have only started following F1 in recent years might be amazed to hear that Minardi had some spectacularly good races around 1989-1991 despite having very little money and running obsolete engines. Pierluigi Martini lead a race for a couple of laps in 1989, had a couple of 4th place finishes and came close to getting a podium. Then in the 1990 USA GP he qualified on the front row - ahead of Senna's McLaren and both Ferraris!

BrianD3

andyman

Dont forget their forth place at the Nurburgring in 1999 (Marc Gene) finishing ahead of Hakkenin and Irvine

Töpher

They also had some impressive qualifyings, 2nd on an American grid once, and several other top 6's scattered about, I do believe.

beer enigma

I feel extremely sorry for Minardi & very bitter towards Wilux over this.

(alllegedly) Wilux committed to Minardi on a shoestring and were looking for an excuse to cancel the contract. due to Minardi's decision to 'wear the black armband' during the british grand Prix & run with unbadged cars, wilux, seized the moment & terminated the agreement.

Minardi are like the Brooklands of racing....true spirit.....but sadly on their way out. I'd be very suprised to see a white knight here.

Andi

In memory of John Walton

ian25

It'll be a sad day when Minardi leave the grid.Seeing a Minardi finish sixth is more exciting than seeing Ferrari cross the line for the umpteen time.
But what a disgraceful reason to stop sponsoring a team.It was a simple and dignified mark of respect by the team.The management of Willux must have no morals at all :mad: .