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Minardi target Jos for 2003 |
14
Sep 2002
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 According
to reports filtering out of the Monza paddock yesterday, Dutch driver
Jos Verstappen is one step closer to landing a full time drive for the
2003 season. While speculation was running high that the former Arrows
man would make the move to Toyota to partner Olivier Panis, it now
appears as if his future may lie with the Faenza based Minardi squad
instead.
"We are in intense negotiations with Verstappen's management,"
Paul Stoddart confirmed.
"We are looking very positively at him for next year."
Jos was in the paddock for the Belgian Grand Prix and admitted talking
to several people about a potential drive next year and to confirm
this as he and his manager, Huub Rothengatter, spent a considerable
amount of time in the Minardi Motorhome.
To sweeten the deal even further, Minardi will have a new engine at
their disposal, as Asiatech won't be supplying them in 2003. Recent
rumours indicated that Ferrari may power their 2003 contender but it
now appears as if they are on the verge of announcing a new engine
deal with Cosworth for the coming season, a situation that could very
well see them moving up the grid by leaps and bounds.
This all makes for a very interesting proposition for Verstappen and
one he is taking very seriously.
"It is quite clear: they are getting a new engine, hundred percent
sure,”
Jos said in an interview on his official website.
“An offer from Minardi is very interesting and will be considered very
seriously."
This is fantastic news for the Dutchman's legion of fans as they
anticiapte the impending return of their hero to the racetrack.
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