Stoddart: Irvine Not a Serious Bidder
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has quashed speculation that former Grand Prix driver Eddie Irvine is lining up a bid for his hard-up Formula One team

"I spoke to Eddie in Monaco and I've had a few telephone calls since but if you are asking me whether Eddie Irvine is a serious buyer of Minardi, then no," the Australian told Reuters at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday.
"Have there been any serious discussions? No. Have there been any discussions? Yes, but there always are. There's nothing untoward in that.
"There are always potential buyers around, I'm up to number 37 now," he added.
"I know it sounds very dismissive, and I don't mean to be that way, but not all the people that come to you have the ability (to buy).
"This isn't the case with Irvine but you have some strange characters that want to buy a Formula One team and...I don't have the time to waste."
Former Ferrari driver Irvine, who retired in 2002, has been seen at several Grands Prix this season and has been linked to both Jordan and Minardi.
According to media reports, the Northern Irishman is acting as a go-between for Russian banking and vodka entrepreneur Roustam Tariko.
Stoddart said he had never met Tariko.
"That's not to say I wouldn't, I just haven't," he said.
"The team's always been for sale since 2001 if someone comes along who can do better with the team, and I can see security for the guys and they can do better than me," added the aviation entrepreneur.
"I would not think twice about a manufacturer because it's what Minardi needs long term. But am I desperate to sell it? Categorically not.
"Am I interested in selling it? Not really. So unless the right offer from the right people comes along, you'll have to put up with me for a few more years yet."
That comment will be of interest to Max Mosley, head of the sport's governing body, after Stoddart told reporters recently that he would turn his back on Formula One unless the FIA president stood down.
"We'll see what happens with Max," said Stoddart. "We're in a peace in our time process at the moment and let's hope it lasts for the sake of Formula One, never mind Max Mosley or Paul Stoddart."

Previous article
A Deal is a Deal, Williams Tells Button
Next article
Wurz Fastest in Practice 1 - Hungary

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Eddie Irvine |
Author | Alan Baldwin |
Stoddart: Irvine Not a Serious Bidder
Trending
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed