Ferrari are well known for not taking risks where the F1 championship is concerned, but this time they’re going too far. The prancing horse is kicking Minardi when it’s down.

Minardi, a severely cash-strapped team, are struggling to meet the new requirements for the 2005 season and have requested that they be allowed to race using last year’s car for the first few races. For this to be allowed, all the other teams have to agree. Everyone agreed. Except Ferrari.

What risk do Minardi possibly pose to Ferrari’s championship challenge? They are so far off Ferrari’s pace that even if they were allowed to install turbo engines they still wouldn’t catch those scarlet cars. The only reason I can think of for this spitefulness is that racing is easier with less cars on the track. But really, aren’t things easy enough for Ferrari already?

Thankfully Paul Stoddart is standing up for his team and threatening to take the fight to the courts if necessary. I’m confident we will see Minardi at the first race, whether Ferrari like it or not.