Stoddart Calls Asiatech Bosses for Talks

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has urged his Asiatech engine suppliers to come and talk to him if they are serious about their plans to develop a Formula One car for 2003.

The bosses of the Anglo-French company Asiatech told Atlas F1 in an exclusive interview, that they will finish designs for their first Formula One car in July, and have sounded out four current teams about a possible technical collaboration.

But Stoddart said today that there have been no formal talks over the matter between the two parties, and added: "If they are serious they should be talking to us.

"I have always said that if any manufacturer came along who could do a lot more for the team than I would, then I would of course be interested in talking to them.

"We have been helping them (Asiatech) with certain aspects of development because both of us benefit from it and I would be happy to take onboard a manufacturer who could take the team to another level of competition."

Stoddart said he would have to look at the plans before making any comment on the Asiatech idea, but insisted he would be "crazy" to ignore it if it could take Minardi up a step.

"If it ever happened and I felt it was good for the team, I would obviously look at it," he said. "If I could get access to the level of budgets that I am competing against then I would be crazy not to go and do it."