Minardi Praises Renault Drivers

The Renault team have the strongest driver line-up in Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso, according to Gian Carlo Minardi.

"As far as I know I'd say they look really strong," Minardi told the Italiaracing website. "Fisichella has an important chance, and Alonso as well. In my opinion Renault have the strongest drivers pairing in the championship."

Both Fisichella and Alonso, as well as Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Williams' Mark Webber, drove for Minardi at the start of their Formula One career.

Minardi have a history of finding talent in young drivers, and while several have gone on to greater things Minardi have continued to struggle at the bottom of the field.

Minardi, the team's founder, said he has recently set his sights on Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, who made his Formula One debut with the Anglo-Italian squad at the end of last year.

However, 19-year old Maldonado, winner of the Italian Formula Renault 2000 title in 2004, has signed a contract to be included in Renault's driver development programme. He will compete in the World Series by Renault championship with the DAMS team.

Minardi admitted he was unhappy with Renault's move.

"I set my sights on Pastor Maldonado, we had him testing, and then I let him be nicked from me for having behaved in good faith," Minardi complained. "Perhaps I should be worried for still being this naive after many years in the business, but I'm happy this way: I'm a sports person."