Minardi-Cosworth confirmed for 2005.

As a spin-off from the successful conclusion of deals to secure the future of both Jaguar Racing and the Cosworth engine company, Minardi has been able to confirm that it will contest next year's Formula One world championship with Cosworth power.

The Italian minnow always intended to extend its agreement with the famous engine company - and, indeed, announced a new contract only days before Ford Motor Company announced that it would be selling off its F1 interests - but could only confirm that fact following the news that Cosworth had been acquired by Champ Car owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerry Forsythe.

The timing of the announcement could have been better for Paul Stoddart's team, however, which now faces a race against time to get is 2005 challenger fettled to accept the TJ-spec V10 engine in time for the new season.

As the out-spoken Australian has been saying since before the end of the race season, he does not believe that the team can be ready to compete with an all-new car-engine combination, and the team has announced that it will be seeking to run its 2004 car-engine package for the first three races of the new season, in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain.