Four men trying to break into F1 will drive for the team at the Valencia track in Spain next week as part of Minardi's preparations for the new season.

But team boss Paul Stoddart emphasised that the test should not be viewed as a "shoot-out" between the men for the vacant drive alongside Malaysian Alex Yoong in 2002.

Stoddart is reluctant to sign up an unproven driver while at least one of his established stars - Heinz-Harald Frentzen or Jos Verstappen - might still be available.

Verstappen is contracted to Arrows but is expected to be replaced by Frentzen.

However, the situation is complicated by the doubts over the survival of the Prost team.

Frentzen drove for the French outfit last year and wants to stick with them if they can climb out of their financial crisis.

Stoddart is expected to take whichever one is free once the Prost-Arrows situation settles down - as long as that driver wants to race for Minardi.

In the meantime, Formula 3000 drivers Mark Webber from Australia and Dutchman Christijan Albers will be evaluated in Spain.

Italian Matteo Bobbi and Spaniard Antonio Garcia, who have raced in the Spanish Formula Nissan series, will also get a chance, although Webber and Albers are considered more serious contenders.