Minardi In 2001, Stoddart purchased Minardi when Gabriele Rumi sold the team to him prior to the 2001 Formula One Season. From purchase to the first race the team completed the PS01 in six weeks. The car was emblazoned with European Aviation sponsorship and used an uprated version of the 2000 Minardi Fondmetal V10. Whilst perennial backmarkers, during 2001 future world champion Fernando Alonso drove for the team and was rated highly. In 2002, Stoddart hired Australian Mark Webber who scored points on his debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix. thumb|Minardi PS01 - Stoddart's first car as team owner Finances were always a challenge for the team, as was sponsorship. In 2003, Formula One owner Bernie Ecclestone invested $4 million into the struggling team. Wilux became a lead sponsor in 2004, however terminated their agreement after they were not told the team would run without logos at the 2004 British Grand Prix. Stoddart had elected to run blank cars due to the death of Minardi sporting director John Walton. In 2005, the team was sponsored by another Stoddart firm—OzJet. One of the team's greatest successes under Stoddart's ownership would come at the 2005 United States Grand Prix where just six cars competed—Minardi scoring 7 points with both cars finishing.
minardi in 2001 stoddart purchased minardi when gabriele rumi sold the team to him prior to the 2001 formula one season from purchase to the first race the team completed the ps01 in six weeks the car was emblazoned with european aviation sponsorship and used an uprated version of the 2000 minardi fondmetal v10 whilst perennial backmarkers during 2001 future world champion fernando alonso drove for the team and was rated highly in 2002 stoddart hired australian mark webber who scored points on his debut at the 2002 australian grand prix thumb|minardi ps01 - stoddart's first car as team owner finances were always a challenge for the team as was sponsorship in 2003 formula one owner bernie ecclestone invested $4 million into the struggling team wilux became a lead sponsor in 2004 however terminated their agreement after they were not told the team would run without logos at the 2004 british grand prix stoddart had elected to run blank cars due to the death of minardi sporting director john walton in 2005 the team was sponsored by another stoddart firm—ozjet one of the team's greatest successes under stoddart's ownership would come at the 2005 united states grand prix where just six cars competed—minardi scoring 7 points with both cars finishing