Minardi Fans Aim To Save Name

[Senna 0]

MINARDI FANS AIM TO SAVE NAME

ITV

Formula 1 is about to lose its fourth oldest constructor thanks to the buy-out of Minardi by Red Bull, which was announced at last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The Anglo-Italian team, currently based in Faenza and Ledbury, will almost certainly be renamed to fit in with Red Bull's junior team plans.

That could be the end of the Minardi name, which has endured since the team entered Formula 1 in 1985.

Despite its perennial status as a backmarker Minardi has built-up a huge following over the years.

Out-going team owner Paul Stoddart even declared it "everyone's second favourite team" on one occasion.

So undeterred by the massive Red Bull PR machine, a group of Minardi fans has now decided to lobby Dietrich Mateschitz to keep the moniker

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I've signed it. The loss of the minardi name would be sad. Giancarlo Minardi himself doesnt actually run the team, and hasnt done for some time, but his name is still there - and I think that should remain

[Sato 0]

Indeed. I also signed, and when I did they were cmoing in fast thats for sure.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Yea I signed it, went back to the main screen, and another 4 people had already signed it in that 3 seconds!! I think the total is about 6500 now

[Chris Strange 0]

I doubt that Matescheiss has spent 35 millions (

[Sato 0]

Yeah, its highly doubtfully to be saved, but atleast they're trying.

[cavallino 2]

I dont see the point. giancarlo minardi left the sport a long time ago, the team is owned by a funny tasting drink company, its moving out of italy, its going to run american pay drivers. whats in a name?

[Chris Strange 0]

I dont see the point. giancarlo minardi left the sport a long time ago, the team is owned by a funny tasting drink company, its moving out of italy, its going to run american pay drivers. whats in a name?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nostalgia .... probably.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

Yes but I guess Red Bull need to promote their own brand and have to think of their own benefits, so its understandable that extremely likely that the name will go

[Shadow 0]

its over 7600 now.......including my dear self

[AutoRacer5 0]

7735, self included.

[Senna 0]

Nostalgia .... probably.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. But would you prefer

[Buttonfan 0]

Americans would Team Red Bull USA, Me being one, becuase when people think of Minardi, they look at the back of the grid

[nojvnof1 0]

"Yes but I guess Red Bull need to promote their own brand and have to think of their own benefits, so its understandable that extremely likely that the name will go"

there's nothing stopping them calling it Minardi Red Bull or Red Bull Minardi.

[pumpdoc 2]

Americans would Team Red Bull USA, Me being one, becuase when people think of Minardi, they look at the back of the grid

I agree, plus it'll give the US fans a team to get behind and probably bring in more sponsership dollars

[Null 0]

One thing I would love to see is a competitive minardi, which is why I have signed the petition. Doubt it'll stop them changing it though

[ykickamoocow 0]

Its now over 10600. Thats alot of people.

[cavallino 2]

I remem seeing it in the beginning. People had put in names like Michael Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone.

Online petitions are pointless.

[Null 0]

they are, there was a Zsolt Baumgartner too hehe

[cavallino 2]

Zsolt I just love that name.

[funkejay 0]

Face it, Minardi, like Sauber before them, and Jordan, and Jaguar, and Arrows, and Prost, and Tyrrell, and Stewart, and Ligier, and Lotus, etc. etc. etc. are no more, and with their passing, so closes each chapter of F1 history with them.

F1 is like any business, where there is no room for sentimentality. If RedBull are going to make their junior team work, it must employ a successful business model, which means focusing their marketing efforts squarely at the US, where the name Minardi either has no meaning whatsoever, or is associated with failure by the limited number of fans who watch F1 and have little or no appreciation of what F1's minnows were able to achieve in their many years in the sport.

No, however sad its passing may be, it's better to just accept that Minardi will be no more, and not pursue any vain attempt at persuading RedBull to retain the name.

[Null 0]

I wonder how long it will take before Formula 1 becomes Formula Red Bull....

[Knight The Prof 0]

Signed it but don't care what happens really

There were no petitions in 1999 when BAR bought Tyrrell and Tyrrell are far more steeped in history than Minardi

[Shadow 0]

Face it, Minardi, like Sauber before them, and Jordan, and Jaguar, and Arrows, and Prost, and Tyrrell, and Stewart, and Ligier, and Lotus, etc. etc. etc. are no more, and with their passing, so closes each chapter of F1 history with them.

sadly true......

[nojvnof1 0]

"I wonder how long it will take before Formula 1 becomes Formula Red Bull...."

Red Bull Presents the [insert country here] Grand Prix sponsored by Red Bull.