Bernie tells Stoddart to leave F1

Formula One commercial rights owner Bernie Ecclestone has lashed out at Minardi owner Paul Stoddart, saying the Australian should leave Formula One.

Stoddart has drawn criticism from several leading figures in Formula One yesterday, when he asked an Australian court for an injunction against the FIA, after the Australian GP stewards disqualified his 2004 cars from participating in the season opening event.

Stoddart, who won the injunction, decided to withdraw his legal threat today and Minardi ran with a pair of hastily prepared and untested 2005 cars. But the Australian's action incurred the wrath of Ecclestone, who had in the past helped the cash-strapped team but now says it's time for Stoddart to leave.

"Paul's been a bit of a nuisance since day one, but we have protected him," Ecclestone told The Sun. "Regretfully, there is now no place in Formula One for someone like him. If you can't sustain running a team then you should get out.

"That's precisely what dear old Eddie Jordan did and that's what Paul should be doing. This is an expensive game to be sitting in on and if you can't afford the ante you shouldn't take part in the school."

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- The Autosport.com Team

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