MAY 3, 2002

Cosworth shopping for teams for next year?

COSWORTH RACING says that it is happy to supply three teams with its engines next season - if the money is right. The Ford-owned company is currently providing engines for Jaguar Racing and the Orange Arrows team but says it will expand that supply if a deal makes sense. The engines, which cost around $23.6m this year (but will probably go up for 2003), are pretty competitive although Jaguar Racing does not really have the chassis to do the job properly this year.

Minardi is one possible client for next year but recent speculation has centered on Jordan, which is thought likely to be looking for an engine deal if the current arrangement with Honda does not continue.

Cosworth sources say they would have supplied three teams this year if Minardi had been willing to pay but that the free supply of Asiatech engines ended up being more attractive to the team.