Minardi boss Paul Stoddart is confident that his team will be on the grid next season as Formula 1 faces a campaign with just ten teams.

The Australian is determined the team will not go the same way as rivals Leafield-based Arrows, whose long-term future was plunged into doubt after the team were refused a place in next year's championship, having failed to complete in six of the final races.

Although Arrows paid the £220,000 entry fee in time, it was not enough to guarantee them a place in the line-up.

Stoddart believes most of his necessary budget is in place while he also announced an engine deal with Cosworth, who used to supply Arrows.