Ukyo Katayama is very happy with the deal he made with the Minardi team. The Japanese driver, last season with the Tyrrell-Yamaha team and replaced there by Jos Verstappen for next season with the Ford engines, said: "I'm delighted to join the Minardi Team with the sponsorship of Mild Seven for the 1997 season. It is a new start to my career in Formula One. With the new partners alongside Giancarlo Minardi, the highly rated Hart V8 engine and Bridgestone tyres, I am confident that the Italian team will be one of the surprising revelations of the season".

Giancarlo Minardi was also pleased: "Ukyo can give a significant contribution to Minardi: he is a quick, experienced and highly motivated driver who always does his best in all circumstances. We'll make sure that he will find a stimulating working environment in order to enable him to work in ideal conditions for competing in the highly competitive 1997 Formula One season".

Minardi is planning to unveil their Minardi 197, the follow-up to this year's 195, mid-January. It is also reported that the 1997 Ferrari has passed the crash test and will also be ready mid-January 1997.

Nicola Larini completed the tests for Ferrari on their home track at Fiorano (Italy). The Italian clocked a best time of 1m 00.20s. He completed just 20 laps because it started to rain after his second time around the circuit.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen also ended his session for the Williams-Renault team on the Paul Riccard (France) circuit. He covered 62 laps with a new Renault V10 engine in the back.