Minardi to use Ford and rookies in 2001?

The struggling Minardi team appears set to make the grid next season, following the benevolent intervention of one Bernard Ecclestone.

The F1 ringmaster is rumoured to have brokered a deal with the team's current engine supplier Ford that will enable it to continue in the category for at least another year. Both Ecclestone and Jaguar Racing boss Neil Ressler were quoted last month as saying they would do what they could to prevent Minardi disappearing from the grands prix scene, after the collapse of talks with potential buyer PSN.

The Faenza outfit used Ford engines in 2000 and, despite the units being overweight and underpowered by modern standards, was able to embarrass its rivals on occasion courtesy of a well-designed chassis. Its presence in the paddock is welcomed by almost everyone and, even though there are those that complained about having to lap the yellow cars this year, few would want it to fold.

The only drawback to the latest rescue plan is that the team would still have to finance the engine deal itself. Although team boss Giancarlo Minardi said last week that he was optimistic for the future, it remains unclear exactly where the funding would come from, as both Y2K title sponsor Telefonica and, now, PSN, look set to quit the outfit.

Again, Ecclestone is rumoured to be doing all he can to help, having apparently been spotted in America trying to find a buyer for the operation. He is reported to have spoken to several companies - including large financial institutions - about a possible deal for 2001.

Drivers could hold the key to the team's survival and, although his contract has been sold to Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, Spain's Fernando Alonso remains in the frame to drive one of next year's entries. The F3000 race-winner is understood to have substantial backing from Belgian company LeasePlan, which would sit nicely on an unadorned Minardi in 2001.

The team is also due to test two rookies at one of the Spanish tests this month, with Italian F3000 series winner Rodrigo Sperafico and Formula Nissan winner Antonio Garcia creeping into the frame for an F1 berth next year.

This year's drivers - Marc Gene and Gaston Mazzacane - both appear to have left the team. Gene will get his first outing as Williams' new test driver later this week, while Mazzacane, who is backed by PSN, ran with Arrows at Silverstone last Friday, and is due to return to the Leafield outfit at Barcelona in ten days' time. Despite this, however, the Argentine's manager has suggested, outlandishly, that he may test with one team -and still race for Minardi!