Minardi sign deal with Puma

Formula One minnows Minardi have signed a two-year racewear deal with Puma.

The agreement comes two weeks after team chief Paul Stoddart was given a reported €15m lifeline by fellow F1 bosses to ensure Minardi see out the 2003 campaign.

Stoddart, still looking for more sponsors for the coming season which gets under way in his home city of Melbourne on March 9, said: “Minardi is very happy and proud to have Puma as its new racewear partner.”

Puma vice-president Martin Gansler said: “As an underdog team that often exceeds expectations, Minardi has won the sympathy of many.

“We do understand that, under the current difficult general economic situation, keeping a racing team going in a high-profile and global sport is not an easy task.

“Giancarlo Minardi has always put a lot of passion into his team – and this continues with Paul Stoddart, a passionate racer himself.

“It is amazing what the Minardi team achieved in 2002, despite a limited budget that prevented the team from showing their full potential.”

British rookie Justin Wilson will make his debut in Australia alongside experienced Dutchman Jos Verstappen.

The team, based in Gloucestershire and Italy, are confident of moving up the grid this year after securing an engine deal with Cosworth Racing.