Yoong expects possible replacement

Struggling Minardi driver Alex Yoong accepts the possibility that he may be replaced for the Hungarian Grand Prix in two weeks time. According to Yoong's contract, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has the right to replace the Malaysian if he failed to ...

Struggling Minardi driver Alex Yoong accepts the possibility that he may be replaced for the Hungarian Grand Prix in two weeks time. According to Yoong's contract, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has the right to replace the Malaysian if he failed to qualify for two Grands Prix. Yoong has failed to qualify for three, although the British GP was deemed to be a problem with the car rather than a failure on Yoong's behalf.

Alex Yoong.

Photo by Minardi Formula 1.

On Yoong's official website it states: "Yoong expects that there is a possibility that he might be replaced in Hungary as he has an agreement with Stoddart that he is not to miss qualification in two GPs. The San Marino GP and the German GP missed by Yoong count towards these. The British GP miss was attributed by Stoddart to the lack of power steering which the team took responsibility for."

It has been rumoured that former CART driver Bryan Herta will be testing for Minardi next week but that is not quite true. There is currently a three week testing ban in place while F1 has a break but Herta will be joining Minardi for the "Thunder in the Park" weekend at Doninton Park in the UK. Yoong will also be present, along with team mate Mark Webber.

Former Arrows driver Jos Verstappen turned down an offer from Minardi to step into Yoong's seat and while speculation remains open, the most likely candidate is Fernando Alonso. The Renault test driver, who will be in a race seat with the team next year, drove for Minardi last season and gained much credit for his performance.