Former Formula 1 World Champion, 1989 Champ Car World Series Champion and Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi is said to have been in negotiations this week with Jacques Kremer-the manager of former Minardi and Prost Formula 1 driver Gaston Mazzacane-to bring the Argentine pilot to the Champ Car World Series for 2004.

Kremer and Fittipaldi have established the basis of a possible contract for Mazzacane, and all parties are optimistic about their possibilities for the future.

“Gaston Mazzacane is the biggest hope for Argentina in racing since (Juan Manuel) Fangio and Carlos Reutemann,” Fittipaldi said. “He would be a very good possibility for Fittipaldi Racing, and it would be fantastic to work with Gaston. I know Argentina has millions and millions of race fans, and I think it would be great for Champ Car to have him in the series. It’s going to be a great season in 2004.”

Fittipaldi, Mazzacane, and Kremer are trying to finalize their agreement in the next week, so Mazzacane would be able to join the Champ Car World Series beginning with the season-opening Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on the weekend of April 18.

Mazzacane's best finish in Formula One was an 8th at the Nurburgring in 2000 with Minardi.