Tuesday October 29th, 2002

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has revealed his concerns that a proposed arbitration proceeding from rival Formula One bosses which could wreck his team have subsided.

Stoddart revealed at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix that several teams, apparently led by McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis, planned to force Minardi to pay back money given to them this season.

The bankruptcy of the Prost team effectively left Stoddart's Minardi outfit in 10th place in last year's Championship and he successfully fought the other teams for the associated prize money.

The rest of the grid believed they were due a share of the cash and they issued a threat to fight him for it again over the next few months. But Stoddart, who initially reacted angrily to the situation, is now less concerned and said of the threat: "It has not gone away but I think common sense will prevail.

"I am fairly confident that we will suffer no financial effect from that. I don't foresee Minardi having to pay that money out and nor should it have had to."

Bernie Ecclestone, whose Formula One Management company is responsible for the hand-out, insisted that Stoddart will not be forced to pay even if the arbitration goes ahead.

"We paid Minardi because the FIA told us we had to, but anyway, we did pay them, and at the time most of the teams agreed this is what should happen," explained Ecclestone.

"They've thought about it and thought maybe they should have had the money so decided to seek arbitration to find out what happens. That means the worst thing is we'll have to pay twice if we lose."

Stoddart was relieved to hear Ecclestone's comments and added: "We have still got to get over a few more hurdles (to survive) but certainly it is a lot easier today than it was yesterday."

Published at 14:07:43 GMT