MAY 6, 2001

Minardi deny Mazzacane will return

GASTON MAZZACANE will not be returning to Minardi, team-boss Paul Stoddart has said.

Rumors have linked Mazzacane, who was dropped by Prost after the San Marino Grand Prix in favor of Luciano Burti, with a return to the Faenza-based team.

But Stoddart has denied Mazzacane will return in place of the struggling Tarso Marques and said that no discussions had taken place between the two parties.

"I have read that Mazzacane is ready to jump into a Minardi as test driver if he brings sponsorship with him," Stoddart said. "This has no foundation. There are not even any discussions taking place."