Stoddart Eyes Yoong, Ferrari Deal and Podium

Malaysian hopeful Alex Yoong could be driving a Ferrari-powered Minardi in Formula One next season. Team boss Paul Stoddart said on Sunday that the 24-year-old Malaysian had done "quite exceptionally well" in recent testing in Italy with the team and would aim for his superlicence next month.

"We're going to keep testing him, he did very well in the last test - quite exceptionally well actually," Stoddart told Reuters at the German Grand Prix. The Australian-born businessman, who bought Minardi in January and has ambitious plans for a team that has scored just one point in five years, said Yoong was ready.

"He's ready and raring to go and, if he does a good job, he could be in the car this year," he said. "But, if not, most certainly next year. Spa would be the first opportunity (in September) ...I won't put him in before he's ready but, if he keeps going like he's gone, it could be sooner rather than later."

Yoong, who can bring much-needed sponsorship from Malaysia and the Far East and would be his country's first Formula One driver, is being lined up to replace Brazilian Tarso Marques. Marques is on a race-by-race deal and was last on the grid at Hockenheim after failing to qualify for the previous British Grand Prix.

Engine Talks

Minardi have yet to announce their engine deal for 2002 but Ferrari would be a top option - dependent on the sponsorship to pay for them. The World Champions are currently supplying engines to Sauber and Prost but the latter team have cash problems and have yet to renew their deal for next year.

Arrows announced on Saturday that they will use Jaguar's Cosworth V10s next year and Minardi have also been talking to the Ford-owned engine company for several months. Stoddart said the Arrows deal did not limit Minardi's options: "That doesn't preclude us from still having a Cosworth engine. We're still looking at Ferrari, Cosworth, Asiatech and our own engine.

"Well done to Tom (Walkinshaw, the Arrows boss). They'll do well with that engine and, if we took a third supply, we'd do very well. In '97 and '98, they (Cosworth) ran three teams so the resources are there to do it."

Stoddart said Arrows went for a more comprehensive deal than Minardi wanted but the door had not been closed on them taking a third supply.

"We're in a very good position, we'd be in an even better one if Prost hurry up and make their mind up," he added. "Obviously a Minardi Ferrari would be something else but a Minardi Cosworth would be something else as well. From a marketing point of view, obviously Cosworth or Ferrari would be the best thing."

Asiatech have supplied Arrows this season with a Peugeot-based engine but have no team for next year. Stoddart suggested their options were limited.

"I don't think anything in life is free but it would have to be pretty damn close to that," he said of the possibility of a deal. "They've got two choices really, Prost or us."

The businessman, who owns the rights to Minardi's ageing Ford-based engine, said he hoped for an announcement by the end of August but much depended on Prost.

"It would be foolhardy for us to make a decision before they do," he said. "They need to have an engine, I don't. But I can't make my mind up until he does," he added, gesturing across to the adjacent Prost motorhome.

"What I wanted in 2003 I would get in 2002 if I did either one of those engine deals," he added. "With either Ferrari or Jaguar I think it's a pretty safe bet I'll get my podium next year."