Minnows will battle on

Formula One’s minnows have vowed to battle on despite the crushing news of Ford’s withdrawal from the grid.

That move not only sees the Jaguar Formula One team put up for sale, it also puts into doubt the future of engine manufacturer Cosworth, part of the Ford empire.

Cosworth are also up for sale and if they cannot find a buyer, the future of Jordan and Minardi – two of Formula One’s three independent teams – would be in grave doubt.

Both teams benefit from cut-price Cosworth engine deals and would not be able to afford a customer supply of top power plants, even if a manufacturer were prepared to consider supplying them.

Minardi only recently tied up an arrangement with Cosworth to use their newest engines next season and that deal now appears in doubt.

But Minardi boss Paul Stoddart is confident an arrangement can be found to power his cars next season, with a continued supply of Cosworth’s current engines thought to be an option.

He said: “Minardi has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Cosworth Racing over the years and, in light of this announcement, we will be working closely with Cosworth representatives to find a workable solution regarding engine supply arrangements for next season.

“We are confident of being able to arrive at a suitable arrangement.

“On a personal note, all of us at Minardi have been saddened by the news, but fully understand the economic realities involved in competing in this sport as it is currently structured.

“Our best wishes go out to all the staff involved, many of whom are personal friends as well as work colleagues.”

Eddie Jordan is believed to have more options as far as engines for 2005 go, with a possible Toyota deal rumoured recently.

The Irishman oversaw what looks like being Cosworth’s last Formula One victory after a long and successful career, coming with Giancarlo Fisichella’s win in Brazil last year.

He said: “My thoughts are with the staff at Browns Lane in Coventry, Cosworth and the Jaguar team as they take this in.

“We’re saddened by the news as we’ve enjoyed competing against Jaguar and we have shared the same engine partner for the last two years.

“Jordan will presently analyse its position with regard to engines.

“On a slightly happier note, I’m proud that history will record Jordan as the last team to win for Ford in its current campaign, at the Brazilian Grand Prix 2003.”

While the Jaguar name will disappear from Formula One at the end of the season, it is unlikely the team will not continue in some form.

The favourite to buy Jaguar from Ford is Christian Horner, who has forged a strong reputation for himself by building Arden International into Formula 3000’s top team.

He is known to have some backing to step up to Formula One but the major sticking point had always been the difficulty in building a chassis from scratch.

With Jaguar’s formidable infrastructure up for grabs, he could eliminate that problem.