Despite the fact that they are left without engines after Jaguar Racing team’s demise when parent company Ford pulled the plug on their Formula One program, including the Cosworth engine division, Minardi chief Paul Stoddart is confident that his tiny team will be taking part in the 2005 season.
"No doubt at all, Minardi will be in Melbourne in 2005. Formula One needs 10 teams," Stoddart told BBC Sport. "If we were to fall down to nine teams it would be a sad day but if it happens we will have to deal with it. Minardi is the fourth oldest team in Formula One behind Ferrari, McLaren and Williams. It's fair to say Minardi has stood the test of time. We have been there for 21 years and hopefully we will be there for many more."
Speculation is that if Cosworth isn’t sold Minardi will more than likely carry on with their 2003 chassis and 2001 engines. However it appears as if a deal with ChampCar boss Kevin Kalkhoven is putting together a deal to keep Cosworth in business, supplying his series, Formula One and the rest of their interests worldwide.
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