Monday February 5th, 2001

Spanish F3000 star Fernando Alonso will race for the Minardi team in the 2001 season, according to Benetton's boss Flavio Briatore.

19-year old Alonso, who finished in fourth position in last year's F3000 championship after winning the final event of the season at Spa, signed a five-year deal with Minardi last season, but his future was unclear until the Faenza-based outfit was bought by Australian businessman Paul Stoddart last week.

Briatore allowed the young Spaniard to test with Benetton in order to get the required super license to race in Formula One, and according to the Italian, Alonso will make his debut next March at the Australian Grand Prix.

"Alonso has a contract," Briatore said. "If Minardi races this season, then he’s racing for them."

It is expected that Minardi will officially confirm Briatore's comments tomorrow, while the second driver will probably be announced next week.

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(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

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