Albers out of running for Minardi

The 23-year-old has said that his backers failed to agree terms with Minardi boss Paul Stoddart. Now Albers claims he is likely to return to the DTM in which he raced for Mercedes last year.

A statement on his website read: "We expect that Christijan Albers will not drive for Minardi F1 in the 2003 season. Although we have found the essential budget for the drive and we are still talking to two companies who are interested to become title sponsor of Minardi, the sponsors and Paul Stoddart could not agree on the payments due on the very short term and the contracts.

"We regret this, but we understand it as well. On December 31 the conditional contract ended.

"It is highly likely that Christijan will drive DTM in 2003 and if possible he will try to get some more experience as F1 driver through a position as test/reserve driver with Minardi or another team that has shown serious interest. We hope to finalise negotiations soon."

Albers said: "F1 remains the ultimate goal for me so I do not give up my hopes. I know I can make it. My sponsors made a fantastic offer to Paul, which he unfortunately could not accept."

The breakdown in negotiations will once again throw open speculation of who will take one of only two F1 seats remaining for this year.