Stoddart Naive, Says Mosley

Formula One's governing body branded Minardi boss Paul Stoddart 'naive' on Friday and suggested he was being manipulated by other teams.

"I think Paul is too trusting, even naive," International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said in a question and answer sheet released at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

"One or two team principals who now pretend to be his best friends are the same individuals who tried to grab his Minardi money a couple of years ago.

"They were only stopped because the FIA insisted he should get what was due to him. They then said Paul had no place in Formula One.

"They are using him now, but will turn on him as soon as it suits them," added Mosley, who has had recent run-ins of his on with Stoddart over the FIA's governance of the sport and perceived bias towards champions Ferrari.

The Australian has been described as 'the Formula One shop steward' for his role in getting other teams to agree to voluntary testing limits during the season.

All of the 10 teams, with the exception of Ferrari, have signed up to the initiative.

The world champions have also taken a unilateral decision to extend the existing commercial agreement with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA until 2012.

Stoddart and six other teams have signed a memorandum of understanding with manufacturers planning their own championship from 2008.

"Paul is doing the best he can but in the end only the FIA protects the independent teams in Formula One," Mosley said.