Dennis: Jordan and Minardi not equal

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has suggested the system so that the big teams, who appear more on television, will contribute to the smaller teams who appear less often. But Dennis says he does not view F1's smaller teams equally and suggested that Minardi boss Paul Stoddart complained too much.

"I feel strongly that what help is given should not be equal to those two teams, as I don't see them as equal in grand prix racing," he told reporters. "Jordan has a long-established history of competing in grand prix racing, led by a colourful and aggressive individual whose skills of survival are finely honed. While he has been known to have a degree of vocal complaint, this pales in comparison to that of Paul Stoddart."

WilliamsF1 boss Frank Williams has acknowledged the need to support F1's smaller teams, but says the sport is healthy enough to maintain the current crop.

"There is a will to keep those teams in business," he said. "We do recognise that we need to keep 10 teams if at all possible."