Stoddart withdraws team from the IRL

Paul Stoddart has confirmed that he will not be taking his Team Minardi into the IRL season. As with many other former Champ Car teams he feels the cost and the lack of time means the move is not worthwhile this season. He hasn't ruled out the team returning at a later date however and the team will take part in the Long Beach Grand Prix as a one off. Speaking in Melbourne at the Grand Prix he also let slip that he had looked at Super Auguri during their recent financial troubles. He also suggested that if the new concorde agreement could be signed he may yet return to the ranks of Formula One.