15 Facts About Paul Stoddart

Paul Gerard Stoddart was born on 26 May 1955 and is an Australian businessman, airline owner and former Minardi Formula One team boss.

Paul Stoddart was later based in England and was the Yugo car distributor for the UK and had a hire car detailing business in Manchester detailing the ex-hire cars before sale to the public.

Airbus A340 aircraft, acquired from Etihad Airways and owned by Paul Stoddart's business were used to transport PPE from China and Malaysia back to the UK.

In 2005, Paul Stoddart formed OzJet an Australian based, all business class airline.

Paul Stoddart wanted to challenge Qantas who at the time were the only domestic carrier with this luxury option.

In 1996, Paul Stoddart purchased a 1990 Tyrrell 019 Formula One car.

In 1997, Paul Stoddart sponsored the team with his company, European Aviation, appearing on the front wing of the car and in 1998 the rear.

Paul Stoddart purchased a volume of Tyrrell cars and equipment and moved them to his base in Ledbury, Herefordshire.

In 2001, Paul Stoddart purchased Minardi when Gabriele Rumi sold the team to him prior to the 2001 Formula One Season.

In 2002, Paul Stoddart hired Australian Mark Webber who scored points on his debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix.

Paul Stoddart had elected to run blank cars due to the death of Minardi sporting director John Walton.

When Eddie Jordan sold Jordan Grand Prix to Alex Shnaider in 2005, Paul Stoddart expressed concerns for his team's future.

On 12 September 2005, Paul Stoddart announced that he had sold the team to Red Bull Racing owner Dietrich Mateschitz who subsequently rebranded the team as Toro Rosso.

In March 2006, less than a year after selling his team to Red Bull, Paul Stoddart announced his intentions to return the Minardi name to Formula One after lodging an entry with the FIA for the 2008 championship season.

In December 2006 Paul Stoddart purchased the CTE-HVM ChampCar team which he renamed Minardi Team USA.