FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Minardi and Coronel

There are stories coming out of Holland that Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has signed Dutchman Tom Coronel to be the driver of Minardi's third car at races this year. Paul Stoddart however says that there is no deal and that the agreement with Coronel is simply a promotional arrangement with Wilux, a Minardi sponsor.

A meeting took place yesterday in Rotterdam.

Stoodart says that the team is still talking to potential third drivers but says that there is no obvious candidate as drivers with money do not have superlicences and drivers with superlicences do not have money. Last year third drivers did not need superlicences and so youngsters could have a run without needing to complete the testing mileage necessary for a licence. Now that testing eats up the money available.