No place for Mazza at Minardi.

Gaston Mazzacane will not be rejoining Minardi, team boss Paul Stoddart revealed yesterday.

Ever since the Argentine was released by Prost to make way for Luciano Burti before the Spanish Grand Prix, the F1 rumour mill has linked him with a return to the Italian minnow - either as test driver or replacement for the struggling Tarso Marques. These stories have no been quashed by Stoddart.

"I have read that Mazzacane is ready to jump into a Minardi as test driver if he brings sponsorship with him," the Australian told Italy's ANSA news agency, "This has no foundation. There are not even any discussions taking place."

After a winter of uncertainty, Minardi was rescued by Stoddart's intervention and has gone on to impress the F1 paddock with several noteworthy qualifying and race performances - particularly from its Spanish protege Fernando Alonso. Since the beginning of the year, the team has also added two test drivers - Andrea Piccini and Christijan Albers - to its driving strength, leaving little room for Mazzacane, who split with the team when takeover talks with sponsor PSN broke down, to return.