The Minardi F1 Team is today very pleased to announce that it has signed an engine supply contract with Cosworth Racing for the 2006 Formula One World Championship season, with an option for 2007. The arrangement will see the Faenza team’s 2006 cars powered by a further development of the famous Northamptonshire company’s TJ 90-degree V10 engine. This follows the team’s initial experience of the TJ2005 power unit in recent tests of its new Minardi Cosworth PS05 at the Mugello circuit and during the San Marino Grand Prix weekend at Imola.

"Cosworth is delighted to be extending its partnership with Minardi into 2006, as it’s a team with which we have enjoyed a longstanding, and close relationship over the years," says Cosworth Managing Director, Tim Routsis. "It’s also fair to say there are mutual benefits in such an arrangement. On the one hand, it has always been an integral part of Cosworth’s philosophy to test its products to the limit at the top levels of international motorsport. On the other, it is pleasing for our company, which is now an independent engine manufacturer, to continue to support one of the last true independent teams on the Formula One grid."

Minardi Team Principal, Paul Stoddart, comments, "We have been exceptionally impressed with the TJ2005 engine just in the short time we have been running it in the PS05. We can’t praise highly enough the power, driveability and reliability of the new power unit, and we are more than pleased to demonstrate our belief in Cosworth by entering into this contractual arrangement at an early stage of the new season. In terms of engine supply, this is definitely the right way for Minardi to go. The team has enjoyed a strong relationship with Cosworth over the years, and on both a technical and a personal basis, we now look forward to continuing that excellent relationship."