Minardi Hope to Name Driver Within Days

Minardi hope to name one of their 2003 Formula One drivers within the next week, team boss Paul Stoddart said on Monday.

He made clear that Briton Justin Wilson, who is facing a nerve-racking race to raise funds to secure a seat, was still some way off however.

"We've got one (driver) that's getting very close to the wire, not quite in the bag. I think we'll be announcing one probably next weekend or just after," Stoddart told Reuters.

"I suspect that will put enormous pressure (on others). I could name 20 people that want those drives. Sadly, and I do say this quite genuinely because I've got a lot of faith in Justin, it's probably going to put Justin's management under pressure."

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) issued its entry list for the 2003 season on Monday with no drivers registered for Minardi and only one, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, down for Jordan.

The final deadline is March 6, on the eve of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

"I hope Justin finds a budget, but unfortunately we've made it quite clear that whoever drives for us this year is going to need to have sponsors. That's life," said Stoddart.

Stoddart would not be drawn on the driver to be named but said he would be a credit to the sport.

Dutch driver Jos Verstappen is the most likely candidate now that Minardi have announced their 2003 engine deal with Ford-owned Cosworth.

Verstappen, teammate of World Champion Michael Schumacher at Benetton in 1994, has had a year out after being replaced at doomed Arrows before the start of the season.

No Drivers

"We have to look at the team first, we make no secret of the fact that the team needs money," said Stoddart, who rescued Minardi from imminent collapse in 2001 and fought constant battles for funding this year.

"That money must come from drivers or their sponsors. But I also have a great personal faith in Justin's ability and it would be a crying shame if he missed the opportunity."

Wilson, the 2001 Formula 3000 champion, missed out on a chance to drive for Minardi this year when the tall Englishman failed to fit safely into the car after being lined up to replace Malaysian Alex Yoong for two races.

The Briton has successfully passed a seat fitting in a mock-up of Minardi's 2003 car and is a favoured candidate providing he can come up with the money.

He said at the weekend that he was hoping potential sponsors might be interested in buying shares in his future.

"I am offering the idea that if I get into Minardi that will launch me into a successful career and when I start making serious money, they will double their investment," he said of his novel scheme publicised in the Express newspaper.