AUGUST 30, 2001
Minardi to use Asiatech V10s
AS we predicted a few days ago the European Minardi team will use Asiatech V10 engines next year.
The decision to switch to Asiatech was based on plans which were put forward by the Asiatech management, showing a marked improvement in the performance of the engines, which this year were basic rebadged Peugeot V10s. Ever since the Asiatech takeover of Peugeot Sport there have been plans for modifications and Asiatech's technical director Enrique Scalabroni has done enough to convince Minardi boss Paul Stoddart that it is a good idea to use the engines. It helps that the engines will come free of charge for at least one year - and probably two.
The news, which will probably be announced in Belgium at the weekend, means that Prost will almost certainly keep its Ferrari engines - if it can raise the money needed. Our sources say that the Diniz Family is happy to fund the engine if Alain Prost agrees to give them some more shares. Prost is currently trying to avoid that happening.