Arbitration drives Minardi to brink

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart was notified about the proceedings, brought on behalf of McLaren, Williams, Jordan and BAR, in Japan on Friday afternoon.

A furious Stoddart said: "It's being led, I believe, by Ron Dennis. It would force us out of business and he's well aware of that. There's the story that the action is against Bernie and not me, but he knows full well that the money was released to me on the basis that I indemnify Bernie for every penny plus interest in the event that anyone took it to arbitration and won.

"It's his right to do it but I can't understand why, with all the real problems F1 has at the moment, anyone can be so stupid as to try and push one of the popular teams out of F1. And, make no mistake, I will be out.

"I don't think Minardi deserves this. We've been to hell and back to compete professionally and we look like finishing ninth in the championship. We've done a damned good job on a budget that is one half of Ron's profits for last year. I'm shocked.

Although FOM will have to fight its case, Stoddart says that he is not in a position to.

"This kind of arbitration costs $2 million to run. I'm not even going to try. I haven't got the money or the fight left in me. Bernie will win but I can't take the risk and it will destabilise my team so much.

"How am I going to do an engine deal with Niki Lauda when I can't guarantee that I'm going to be able to pay the guy? How can I talk to sponsors when I can't guarantee we are going to be competing?

"If I choose to fight it, I have to fund the legal fees progressively - you pay as you go - when every penny of that money is needed for the car. If I win, I've lost, and if I lose, I'm out.

"This isn't a sport, it's a circus. The only way out for me is if this action is withdrawn. If not, I'll tell you what, the book I do will