Thursday January 13th, 2000

Italian Formula One team Minardi announced today its engines would be developed by Fondmetal this season following Ford's decision to supply the Stewart team only.

Minardi confirmed Spaniard Marc Gene as its lead driver but said it had yet to decide who would partner him. "A few candidates are still in the frame for the second drive and a decision is expected to be taken by the end of the month," the team said in a statement. Brazilian Max Wilson or Argentine Norberto Fontana is expected to be named as Gene's teammate.

Minardi said it had signed a sponsorship deal with Spain's Telefonica and would present its MO2 car during the first half of February. The team will be called Telefonica Minardi Fondmetal.

Minardi used Cosworth-prepared Ford engines last season when they scored their first F1 points for almost four years. But in May Ford announced they would supply the Stewart team exclusively this season. Since then the U.S. carmaker has taken over Stewart and changed the team's name to Jaguar.

"Fondmetal purchased from Cosworth not only the rights to develop the project but also the support of key personnel and the equipment to produce and rebuild the 10-cylinder engine already fitted to the car last season," Minardi said.

The Faenza-based stable said it would test drive with last season's car at Italy's Fiorano track this month before moving to Barcelona to try out the new car between February 16 and March 1.