Arrows, Minardi In Driver Moves.

Perennial backmarkers Arrows and Minardi are expected to finalise their respective driver line-ups in the next week, with a handful of new faces looking to make their F1 debuts in 1999.


Arrows is scheduled to test both Pedro de la Rosa and Tora Takagi at Silverstone later this week to determine who gets the team's second seat alongside Mika Salo. De la Rosa is thought to hold the upper hand at present, having outpaced both Takagi and Salo in Spain last weekend, and is known to be the favoured option of team boss Tom Walkinshaw.


The final decision - as always - could come down to money, however, with both drivers thought to be able to bring similar amounts of sponsorship to the team. The issue of financing Arrows was thought likely to cost Salo his seat as recently as last week, with the prospect of taking two paying drivers - however inexperienced - being a tempting one for the team. However, it now appears that the Finn's position at Leafield is secure.


Minardi, meanwhile, still have two seats to fill, but look to be able to offer a promising car this season. Luca Badoer tested for the team at Mugello recently, and declared impressed with the new MO1 chassis. Minardi has completed a thorough reconstruction of its operation over the close season in an effort to move away from the back of the grid, but still requires sponsorship to achieve its aim.


Because of this - and the late departure of promising rookie Esteban Tuero - the team has two seats available, and is talking to a number of prospective drivers. Spaniard Marc Gene is thought to be close to signing, with Uruguayan F3000 race winner Gonzalo Rodriguez also in negotiation with the team. Both need to raise the necessary finances, however. Ironically, the better-funded Shinji Nakano appears to be less likely to resign for Minardi following a breakdown in discussions between his management and that of the team.