Exclusive: Asiatech Target July for Decision on Entry

Asiatech bosses Enrique Scalabroni and John Gano will decide in July whether to design a car with one of the current Formula One teams or to create their own test team in an effort to lure another manufacturer into the sport.

Speaking in the A1-Ring paddock last weekend, the project leaders of one of the most elusive engine suppliers in Formula One confirmed they are serious about building a Formula One car and have already been in talks over a possible partner.

"There are four teams that have spoken with us and three manufacturers and we are speaking with them," Scalabroni told Atlas F1 in an interview published on Wednesday. "In July everything is finished and we can start building the chassis. That is the technical deadline."

Scalabroni admitted that he and his technical team, based at Didcot in England, are already nearing completion on designs for the full size car, believed to be based around the engine currently supplied to the struggling Minardi team.

"Now we have two other problems to resolve," said Gano. "One is which road car manufacturer do we link up with, and we are looking for a serious long-term relationship building for the Championship.

"The second thing is do we move in, in partnership with, or acquisition with a mid-range team, because this engine deserves a mid-rank team."

Scalabroni, however, insisted that teaming up with an outfit that is in financial troubles is not in the Asiatech business plan, because they are looking for long-term stability.

"We don't like to be involved with people with problems," he said. "We want to be sure that we can stay a long time here with people who have got no problems. We don't like people that rush in the system so much that they don't know how to solve because then it becomes difficult to manage."