Minardi Set Ambitious Test Plans for 2002

The struggling European Minardi team may be battling financial adversity, but they are still expecting to be able to run two dedicated test teams next season as they chase their goal of a top-six race finish.

Minardi scored no points this year, and despite a promising Asiatech engine for 2002 and the talents of youngster Fernando Alonso in his second Formula One season, they believe a full test programme is essential for success.

"Next year there will be a test team out of Faenza, and there will also be a single car and team associated to the new Research and Development facility at Leadbury which will be headed up by Dr. John Davis," said a team spokesman.

However, the spokesman was quick to deny that Formula 3000 runner David Saelens, who experienced his first taste of Formula One at Minardi's Misano celebrations on Wednesday, is being lined up for a role with the team.

"David's run was just a promise fulfillment from (team boss) Paul (Stoddart)," added the spokesman. "It was nothing more than that."