Minardi to start year with old car

Minardi has confirmed that it will use Cosworth engines in 2005 following the announcement that the engine specialist has been bought by Champ Car World Series co-owners Kevin Kalkhoven. The team now plans to use last year's car and engine next season until it can bring its 2005-spec package online

Nov 15, 2004, 1:24 PM

This, combined with Red Bull Racing's acquisition of Jaguar Racing and Jordan's conclusion of a deal to use Toyota engines in 2005, means that all of F1's current 10 teams are expected to lodge entries before today's [Nov 15] deadline for the 2005 championship.

"Due to the timing of the announcement, however, the team will be seeking to operate its 2004 car and engine package for the first three races of the new season," the team said in a statement.

Minardi already had an agreement in place to use Cosworth engines in 2005, but was forced to wait on the outcome of negotiations over the sale of the company before it could press ahead with its 2005 plans.

The team's owner Paul Stoddart has previously stated that he was considering reviving his own engine programme if he failed to source a supply for 2005.