 Stoddart has already worked with Russians at Minardi |
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has warned prospective Formula One team Midland F1 that quick success cannot be bought. Midland's Russian-born chairman Alex Shnaider plans to spend heavily and be in F1 in 2006, prompting comparisons with Roman Abramovich at Chelsea.
"There are no Abramovich fixes in Formula One," Stoddart explained.
"Footballers are assets and you can be successful overnight but F1 has a history of new teams spending $1bn and still being last in the first year."
Relative newcomers BAR and Toyota have both spent vast sums of money since joining Formula One and have still to win a race.
 |  There are no shortcuts in Formula One |
"I wish Midland a lot of luck because this is not an easy business, particularly at this delicate stage where we have no guarantee of the future," Stoddart added.
Stoddart's own Minardi team face an uncertain future after Ford's decision to sell engine-maker Cosworth.
He has courted Russian backers of his own, and Abramovich himself visited the Minardi garages at last year's European Grand Prix.
Moscow-based Sergei Zlobin became the first Russian to test a Formula One car with the team in 2002 and also tested this year.
"It takes time. Ferrari have been in the sport for over 50 years and they went 21 years without a world title. There are no shortcuts in Formula One," Stoddart said.
MMIX
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