Webber Looking for Backer to Secure Minardi Drive

Australian Mark Webber is hoping his Minardi test this week will convince countryman team boss Paul Stoddart to offer him a Grand Prix drive for 2002.

Webber, who is contracted to Renault boss Flavio Briatore, has two days to impress Stoddart at the wheel of last year's Minardi in Valencia. But he has revealed that he and Stoddart are working hard to find an Australian backer to secure his place in the team for this season.

"Paul asked me to run in the car and that is great," said Webber. "I have not, as yet, secured a backer but Paul is working hard with people in Australia to get something together. It is tough to compete with the Aussie dollar, and he is not giving many hints.

"There are a lot of people trying to come to him, but we will see if we can run on Friday as well and then take it from there."

Stoddart is still holding out for Arrows to decide between Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Dutchman Jos Verstappen to complete their driver line-up. He hopes to secure the man they reject, but that could also depend on whether the struggling Prost team is given a financial lifeline in the next few days.

"I think he is still waiting for the whole Prost situation to be sorted out," said Webber. "We have worked together in the past, so that may help, but I am under no illusions that he will take me just because I am Australian. I think it is Flavio's keenness that will hopefully help me, but financially Paul will have to weigh things up."