Good news at last 4 Minardi

[Willie the Pimp]

Good news at last 4 Minardi
It appears as if one of Minardi’s problems have been solved after Bernie Ecclestone organized for Ford to continue suppling engines to the struggling Minardi. There is only one problemo, that is the necessary funds needed to pay for the much needed supply.

Although the exact price is unknown,Team boss Gabriele Rumi is due to make an announcement later this week and hopefully there will be news of a sponsorship deal.

[Gt_R]

Whoopee...Minardi has pulled through it again!

Although i would seriously prefer to see a Supertec powered Minardi, its better to have Minardis on the track then not.

However, the question lies in which Ford engine is being supplied. The 1999 Ford Zetec?

[sweetbaby]

That's great news, lets just hope they can hang on to their seats. So how is gonna be driving for them then, I think Gene is long gone and Gaston is testing for arrows..isn't he, well I guess will be seeing new faces again

[Valve Bounce]

I wouldn't start cheering yet, guys!! It just so happens that I also have a ticket to that lottery, and the guy promised me that I was sure to win.

[Dino IV]

Good news indeed. The Ford is a far better choice than the Supertec for next year because it's smaller, lighter and most important of all shorter. Next years rule changes demand an increased distance from driver to the imagninary front axle, as well as some other cockpit resizement. In order to be free to choose the most optimal wheelbase for your cardesign, you really don't want the drive train to dictate it out of its optimum. You'll have a lost season in advance that way. But with Ford I guess the drivers will have their doubts about the power, but Brunner must be delighted.

[Minardi fan]

This of course is good news but the real question is exactly which Ford engine is being offered??? If it's last year's Cosworth then I wouldn't expect too much, although there were some flashes of speed from the Jaguars.

[Fiorentina 1]

I thought this post was "good news at last, 4 Minardis!"

I was like, cool 4 Minardis next year...minardifan would go crazy!

1. Alonso
2. Ri.Sperafico
3. Badoer & Italian driver of the week (Biagi, Rossi, Piccini, Manetti, Calcagni)
4. Mezzacane--hey being #1 over 4 guys, ain't bad!

[wodonnell]

Some of the drivers think there are already 4 minardis because they seem to pass them so often.

I remember DC commenting after the Hungarian GP and I think other drivers have said simliar things in the past.

Not quite as bad as the Fortis though, which Murray Walker once said were so named because it seemed there were forty of them on the track.

[Jeanburrasca81]

Well, the 2000-Ford would be better than nothing, but they still haven't got two great driver's! Hurry up guys!!!

[Billy_Hunt]

Tuely is good news don't discount the cosworth there are worse engines

But the question has to be asked, they may have just survived but how long can Minardi keep hanging on with the big bucks being thrown about by the top manufacturers

[EERO]

With regard to the engines offered by Ford, the reports have been ambiguous about its vintage. It is unclear to me whether they will be getting the 2000 Cosworth or continue with the now three-year-old engine they ran last year.

It was my understanding that last years V10 was the best part of the Jaguar Package, the chassis was so terrible that the engine couldn't compensate for it. If Brunner puts together another car as good as the 2000 Minardi, Jaguar could be embarrassed in 2001.

Now bring on the sponsors!!!

[Liz]

Mazza has said he is quite anxious to drive for Minardi again next year. Perhaps he could take the money he gets from testing at Arrows and give it to Minardi?

Hey, its a thought....

I am glad that the candles are doing their job. Anyone who has not got their Minardi Candle lighted, please go do it right away.

[Valve Bounce]

You've gotta be kidding Liz!! You are not seriously suggesting we run the Minardis on candlepower!!

[Dino IV]

I read somewhere that Bernie offered Minardi for sale to some US investor companies last week. He's doing something at least ... why doesn't he buy it secretly?

[Liz]

I saw that too, Dino - I believe the trend of the conversation was that perhaps a car sponsored by Andretti and painted red, white and blue would do more for the back of the grid than Minardi can.

Let Mikey drive it and then Jean Alesi would really have something to complain about!

(P.S. to VB: you think candlepower would be less effective than those old Ford engines?)

[Orange]

Interesting idea Liz! Bernie would love it, because it would bring in much needed american fans (and sponsors). Now if only there were any decent american drivers.....

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[Liz]

Why not let Mario drive? He's no further off the pace than Mazzacane.