Minardi faces Cosworth engine deadline

Ford's Premier Performance Division CEO, Tony Purnell, revealed yesterday (Monday) that Minardi is yet to pay for its supply of Cosworth engines for the 2003 season. Formula 1's smallest team will have to pay about £3million for the engines, which were used in the back of last year's Jaguars.

"Paul [Stoddart, Minardi's boss] is struggling a little bit, but he always seems to come up with the goods," said Purnell. "We are being supportive as well as rational. He will have the best engine in the back of his cars ever, and it is working out."

But Purnell warned he would not tolerate a situation arising similar to that which occurred with Arrows last year, when it became embroiled in rows over payment.

He added: "Put it this way, if you wanted to buy something, and you haven't paid for it when closing time comes around, then you don't get what you want. Closing time is a few weeks away yet, but he [Stoddart] will have to pay before Australia."