What now for Minardi and Jordan???

[Sharky]

From http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31128

Of the decision to sell Cosworth and the likely effect it would have on Minardi and Jordan, Parry-Jones added: "Supplying subsidised engines for teams is no longer possible.

With no other engine manufacturer apparently ready to supply customer engines. What will happen with Jordan and Minardi?

I don't mean to be pessimistic and I know that it's the worst case scenario, but could it be that we'll end up with only 7 teams on the grid at Australia next year?

Who will come to the rescue? I guess that Ferrari could provide an additional team (probably minardi) but that would still leave one team without an engine.

[Marbot]

Might be 7 teams but still 20 cars!

[Kicking-back]

Jordan will probably strike a Toyota customer deal, and Minardi will likely be assisted to pay for Cosworths from another source.

[BootsOntheSide]

As mentioned in the Merc/BMW/Toyota thread, those 3 manufacturers are all keen to change the rules so as that manufacturers have to be willing to supply a second team, or face a penalty. If brought in, that rule would end the panic, and turn a crisis into an opportunity - Jordan and Minardi would have first pick on any engine bar Ferrari's.

If it's not introduced, Toyota should supply one or the other (which'd be great - those engines are mighty) whereas Cosworth could easily be bought out by someone sympathetic to Minardi; otherwise Mercedes have long been interested in supplying customer engines.

[Kicking-back]

I wouldn't rule out a Minardi-Mercedes deal.

Ron and Paul Stoddard have been talking a lot this year - and a big team always likes to have another ally on political matters.

[f1manoz]

Jordan-Toyota
Minardi-Mercedes

Both have a nice ring to it.

[Snrub]

Minardi have said (see itv's site) that they'll have engines next year because they have a contract with Cosworth. Makes sense.

Sounds like Jordan may be called something else for next year, so who knows what deals they'll be able to strike.

[nkh]

and in this case Ron wouldn't only get an ally he'd also shut up an 'enemy' at the same time

[courageous]

Just because they sell cosworth, does not mean cosworth will cease to be. Don't forget, it wasn't until fairly recently cosworth was actually a private company. I doubt the buyer would just throw all the F1 data away (not to mention IRL & Champ Car).

[Kicking-back]

Cosworth is likely to continue supplying F1 engines - but they won't be as heavily subsidised as they now are.

[BootsOntheSide]

True KB, certainly for Jordan, as their engines were badged as Fords, which clearly covered part of the value.

There's no guarantee that whoever takes over will view the F1 business as a priority - development on the engiens could fade over the next couple of seasons (and they may simply not be capable of keeping up with the pace of F1, especially if a non-manufacturer concern buys it), so both teams should have an alternate option set up.

[mountainstar]

I'm probably more worried for Minardi than Jordan. I wish Minardi would become a junior team for renault and that would solve that.

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by courageous
Just because they sell cosworth, does not mean cosworth will cease to be. Don't forget, it wasn't until fairly recently cosworth was actually a private company. I doubt the buyer would just throw all the F1 data away (not to mention IRL & Champ Car).

Be nice to see someone buy Cosworth who has the passion for it that Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin had for it. It would be a sad day if one of the greatest engine manufactures in the history of F1 is no longer there.

[Dick Spanner]

Originally posted by courageous
Just because they sell cosworth, does not mean cosworth will cease to be. Don't forget, it wasn't until fairly recently cosworth was actually a private company. I doubt the buyer would just throw all the F1 data away (not to mention IRL & Champ Car).

Not strictly true. Cosworth were owned by Vickers Plc prior to Ford (and Volkswagen) buying them. They haven't been autonomous for a very long time.

[josvandeperre]

GM are convinced their Chevrolets will still be available from Cosworth next year in much the same way as Stoddard is sure he'll have Cosworth F1's available so I think we can take it as read they won't be shut down