F1 grid filled as Minardi chooses Marques

After much speculation over the last two weeks, Marques has come out on top from a list of contenders that included ex-Sauber, Arrows and Ferrari F1 driver Gianni Morbidelli and Dutch driver Christijan Albers.

For Marques, it will be a return to the Faenza-based team. The Brazilian competed in 11 Grands Prix with Minardi during 1996-97, achieving a best result of 10th place at the British Grand Prix.

"We have decided that Tarso best fulfils our requirement to have a pair of young drivers, one preferably with F1 experience," said team boss of three weeks Paul Stoddart. "There is the added benefit that he has driven for Minardi in the recent past, and therefore knows the team well. I think he and Fernando will form a strong pairing."

Marques spent the last two years driving in the US Champ Car series. The 25-year-old stood in for an injured Al Unser Jr at Penske in 1999 and drove the sole Swift chassis with Dale Coyne Racing last year, scoring just 11 points.

"I am very pleased to be returning to F1, particularly with European Minardi," he said. "I know many of the people here, so it is a little like coming home. At the same time, there is also a different feeling in the factory since the team now has a new owner."

Time is running out for Stoddart's team as the 2001 Minardi is the only car not to have turned a wheel and the majority of teams are packing their cars off to Australia at the end of the week. Two examples of the Gustav Brunner-penned PS01 are set to be shaken down in Italy today (Wednesday) by Alonso and Marques. It could be the car's only outing before the first free practice session in Melbourne.