DECEMBER 18, 2003

Baumgartner on the verge of a Minardi deal?

Zsolt Baumgartner has been offered the second Minardi drive for next year but he will obviously need to take money to the Italian team. The team says it hopes to complete the deal within the next few days. There are still a number of other drivers who might get the drive if they can find the money but with the team now talking openly about Baumgartner the time is clearly running out for Jos Verstappen and others, although the Dutchman is expected to be confirmed at Jordan shortly. It is now extremely unlikely that Justin Wilson will find another job in F1 as he is one of the drivers who are not allowed to test for the teams in 2004.

The leak of information about Baumgartner may however be an attempt to pressure Verstappen into making a decision and signing for Minardi.