Minardi Set to Sign Bridgestone Deal
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart will finalise a tyre supply deal with Bridgestone next Monday and hopes to use the Japanese company's tyres when he debuts the new PS-03 machine at a test session at Fiorano in Italy on Wednesday, Atlas F1 has learned.
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart will finalise a tyre supply deal with Bridgestone next Monday and hopes to use the Japanese company's tyres when he debuts the new PS-03 machine at a test session at Fiorano in Italy on Wednesday, Atlas F1 has learned.
The Anglo-Italian team were forced to test on Avon Formula 3000 tyres at Valencia two weeks ago after their planned switch from Michelin rubber hit a stumbling block. But Australian Stoddart is due to meet with Bridgestone bosses on Monday to finalise the deal, which will see his team as the only outfit on the grid to pay for their tyres.
A Bridgestone spokesperson admitted last Tuesday that they are obliged to supply Minardi "under normal sporting circumstances" but warned that time was running out for the deal to be completed.
It is understood that Minardi have been asked to front a $1,000,000 (USD) bond for the tyres and that Stoddart is angry at the way he has been treated during the negotiations.
Minardi, however, are determined not to continue with Michelin, and will become the fifth team to use Bridgestone tyres alongside Ferrari, Sauber, Jordan and BAR Honda.
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