Double Dutch Duel for Second Minardi Seat

Jos Verstappen and Christijan Albers are fighting a Dutch duel for a Formula One drive with Minardi.

Team boss Paul Stoddart told reporters today, after introducing Briton Justin Wilson as one of his 2003 drivers, that the Dutch duo were the main men fighting to become his teammate.

Albers is already a test driver with the Anglo-Italian team and has a preliminary contract in his pocket but Verstappen brings years of experience having been Michael Schumacher's Benetton teammate.

Verstappen and his manager Huub Rothengather were at the Heathrow hotel where Minardi made their driver announcement and had a meeting with Stoddart afterwards.

Conditional Contract

"We've signed a conditional contract with Christijan and its subject only to commercial finalisation. If that happens then Albers will be our second driver," said Stoddart. "We are still talking to Jos so we are openly talking to both the Dutch drivers.

"Christijan is a Formula Three champion and Jos needs no introduction, he's a great driver. I wish we had three seats because I'd like to take both of them but it probably will be one of them."

Stoddart said that Minardi were looking for a driver who could bring money to the team and if anyone else came along with a better package then he too would be considered.

"Everyone is saying (Eddie) Irvine has gone to Jordan. I don't know whether he has or not but if that is true then clearly we have the last seat in Formula One," said the Australian. "In which case I could think of 20 guys that are going to want it."

Jordan are the only team apart from the Minardi yet to finalise their lineup and are also looking for someone who can pay his way. Stoddart said that he would nonetheless like to know his lineup before Christmas to make sure the drivers got a feel for the car before the season-opener in Australia in March.