The Friday to which Stoddart referred was 31 March 2006, the deadline imposed by Mosley on the F1 teams who wanted to run in 2008
F1. The five teams who are part of the GPMA [Grand Prix Manufacturers Association] -
BMW Sauber,
Honda Racing F1,
McLaren Mercedes,
Renault F1 and
Toyota F1 - all submitted their requests to run in 2008 ahead of the Friday deadline. GPMA spokesman, XANDER HEIJNEN, said this week that "the teams look forward the
FIA's acceptances, and to beginning discussions with the FIA in order to finalise the regulations for 2008. The GPMA members are united and remain committed to improve the sport for the benefit of all stake holders. Significant progress has been made in the negotiations between the GPMA and the commercial rights holder and discussions are ongoing."
Another reason Stoddart might be looking fondly at motor racing is that, for him at least, airline ownership isn't all it's cracked up to be, and he's bleeding red ink on his OzJet airline. Last week, Stoddart totalled his losses at $10 million Australian, and suspended OzJet's scheduled flights. This week, he pulled his 2004 two-seater Minardi out of mothballs and was giving thrill rides to selected folks at a nearby race track.
Last weekend, RUBENS BARRICHELLO was in Adelaide to be with his racing buddy from Brazil, MAX WILSON. Although Wilson was born in Germany, at five he moved to Brazil and grew up close to the Interlagos race circuit. Wilson is in his fourth year in V8s, after a brief career in the US with CART. Wilson finished 16th in the first Clipsal V8 race, which set the grid for the second race, in which he finished eighth.
JACQUES VILLENEUVE has been everywhere. He was actively involved on Monday at Sandown Raceway where the AGP Celebrity drivers were starting their indoctrination. Among the regular instructors is GEOFF BRABHAM. JV gave them some tips and advice, including "be smooth with your driving and drive like you've just stolen the car."
