Tuesday March 5th, 2002

Minardi chief Paul Stoddart has admitted that his team's fifth place finish at last Sunday's Australian Grand Prix topped off a time in his homeland that he will never forget.

Australian driver Mark Webber gave his countryman boss Stoddart a dream start to the 2002 season and the pair celebrated on the podium in front of a packed partisan crowd at the end of the day.

"Melbourne has been the scene of the most memorable nine days of my life," said an ecstatic Stoddart as he left Australia on Tuesday. "It has given me the greatest pleasure to put smiles on the faces of so many fellow Australians this past week. And we have given a little bit back to the fantastic city."

Stoddart took over Minardi at the start of last season, but the team failed to score a point despite enjoying a promising year. He always admitted that last year was a season of survival - he only took control of the team six weeks before the opening race in Melbourne - and had aimed for a point this season.

He admitted that the Melbourne result means he has achieved all his aims already this season, but he now faces a challenge to put on a good showing in Malaysia, another place where it is crucial for him to impress.

"Malaysia is where the team's title sponsor, a number of its commercial partners and our driver Alex Yoong will be enjoying their 'home' Grand Prix," said Stoddart. "It should be another wonderful occasion."

Published at 12:45:18 GMT