Minardi Gets Old Ford Deal.

Minardi finally sealed its year 2000 engine supply yesterday [Thursday], but will use neither the Supertec or Ford CR-1 units it had hoped for.


Instead, the Faenza-based minnow will run with updated versions of the Ford V10 it used in 1999 after long-time partner Fondmetal agreed to buy the rights to the engine from Cosworth. The Italian industrial company will now prepare and develop the unit for Minardi's use in 2000, with the Fondmetal name featuring on the cam covers instead of Ford's. Fondmetal will also provide increased finance for Minardi's campaign, becoming a title partner in the process.


"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," confirmed team boss Giancarlo Minardi.


The newly-christened Telefonica Minardi Fondmetal team is expected to announce a partner for Marc Gene early in February, although no firm date has yet been set for either this or the official launch of the new chassis. Brazilian Max Wilson is earmarked to land the seat, although Argentine Norberto Fontana continues as an outside possibility.