AUGUST 16, 2002
Gazprom joins Minardi
A visit to the Minardi motorhome in Budapest revealed a large number of Russian guests and the car featured a discreet badge from the giant Russian energy company Gazprom. Gazprom is the world's biggest gas company.
The company is developing its international markets and it is expected that the F1 involvement will be to help the company become better known around the world, particularly in Asia.
It is believed that Gazprom is probably behind a bid to buy a share of Minardi although this is not related to the much talked-about Saudi Arabian consortium. If the Russians do buy into the team it is anticipated that Paul Stoddart will remain in charge with Gazprom owning a minority shareholding.