Grapevine: Verstappen in Line for Minardi Seat

Formula One hopeful Jos Verstappen is set to be announced as a Minardi driver for 2003, after his manager Huub Rothengatter admitted the team's engine deal with Cosworth has made the drive a viable proposition.

Verstappen, who is known as a hard racer, is not interested in making up the numbers and wanted to ensure Minardi would be competitive before he signed a deal.

But he is now on course to bring his exciting style back to Formula One next year after Minardi confirmed their supply of engines last week and team boss Paul Stoddart has said he will announce one of his 2003 drivers this week.

Rothengatter confirmed Verstappen's interest in the Minardi drive after the Japanese Grand Prix and said: "Our deal with Minardi can be sealed as soon as (team boss) Paul Stoddart has signed the Cosworth deal."

When asked today if Stoddart's imminent announcement was too soon to be that of Verstappen's contract, Rothengatter said: "Nothing is too quick for us. We need Jos in Formula One and now Minardi have signed the Cosworth engines they look like a good team."

Dutchman Verstappen made an impressive debut for Benetton in 1994 when he drove alongside Michael Schumacher as the German won his first world championship title.

But he dropped into the lower leagues when replaced by Johnny Herbert for the following season and had spells with Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell and Stewart before joining Arrows last season.

He left Formula One at the start of this season when Arrows ditched him in favour of German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was only made available in January when his Prost team went bankrupt.