Formula One's newest boss admits just getting his team to Sunday's opening grand prix in Melbourne feels like winning the world championship.
When Paul Stoddart, a Herefordshire-based Australian aviation tycoon, paid around £40 million sterling for perennial strugglers Minardi in January he inherited no cars, no drivers and no engine.
Yet in six frantic weeks the has defied even his friends, who said he had taken on an impossible job trying to rescue the ailing Italian outfit and getting them to the grid on time.
"The situation was dire when I took over," admitted Stoddart (45), who has returned to a hero's homecoming in Melbourne having grown up in the working-class suburb of Coburg.
"There was nothing, just a mock-up car which was basically a green block, with the wrong engine, sitting in the work area. But we redesigned the car, used our own engine and manufactured it all in six weeks.
"Sensible people were telling me there was no way we could be ready for Melbourne. But we are not only here, we have done one test so I'll be collecting on a few bets this weekend.
"Being here does feel like winning the world championship, but I wouldn't do it again. I have done some crazy things in the past but I have never pushed myself as hard as this before.
"We were asking people to do the impossible - and then more. At times we have gone right through 24 hours working, even 48 hours at times.
"If just sheer effort and hard work counted for anything we would have won the grand prix already.
"We have had people going down to Italy for a couple of days and ending up staying four weeks. The whole team have given their all."
Stoddart, a multi-millionaire who left school at 14, found his jet leasing company European Aviation came in handy in the race to be ready for the first grand prix.
The company's jets were used to ferry parts from his base in Ledbury to Minardi's Faenza headquarters, including last week when a problem threatened their hopes of giving the car at least one run-out.
Stoddart admits it is a dream come true to own his own team, albeit one that in 254 races has not come near a podium finish, let alone a victory.
But he insists it is also a business enterprise and is confident he can build the team, now called European Minardi, into one that is comfortable midway along the grid rather than always at the back.
"Traditionally Minardi have been known as strugglers," said Stoddart, whose driver line-up will be Spanish rookie Fernando Alonso and Brazil's Tarso Marques.
"Just to finish 10th or better would be a good season for us and we could do that with just one point. We could still do it if we don't score a point."
