Stoddart Suggests Door Still Open on Testing

Formula One teams who have rejected an option to test at Grand Prix weekends next year could yet have a chance to change their minds, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said today.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) have yet to state which teams have signed up for the limited testing option after announcing on Monday that a sufficient number had agreed.

But the Australian, who said his team and Jordan were among those that had agreed to a new timetable, said the final total could be more than the minimum requirement of three teams.

"That's quite a live issue. We all said December 15 was the day but it's all free testing at the moment," said Stoddart referring to an FIA-imposed deadline for teams to commit themselves.

"I can't speak for (FIA president Max Mosley) but I would think that until we start the actual season when those of us who have chosen Friday testing are actually banned from unlimited testing, then I would see no reason why (others could not sign up)."

"The importance of the December 15 date was more for the promoters to know that at least three teams were going to do it. I think that other people could join us up until we go to Melbourne. Once the season starts it wouldn't be fair."

Minardi and the other teams who have signed up to the new timetable have agreed to do no more than 10 days of private testing during the season in exchange for the chance to run three cars each in a two-hour slot on race Fridays.

"There are three for sure and I've heard of a fourth but I don't honestly know the names. I know us and Jordan," Stoddart told a news conference to announce Briton Justin Wilson as his 2003 driver.

The Minardi boss could not, however, confirm widespread speculation that Renault had also signed up. Team bosses are due to meet on January 15 with the race weekend timetable one of the subjects to be finalised.

The format has changed for 2003 with two single lap qualifying sessions, the one on Friday dictating the starting order for the next day's decisive shoot-out, instead of one open hour-long session on Saturday.

Those teams who have not signed up for limited testing and the special two-hour slot on Friday mornings will still be able to practice before both qualifying sessions as normal.