Baumgartner to Minardi?
ByReuters
Published 17/12/2003 at 20:08 GMT
Struggling Formula One team Minardi have offered Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner a driver's seat for next season. The 22-year-old raced in two grands prix for Jordan this year as a stand-in for injured British rookie Ralph Firman.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
"Today, Minardi offered Baumgartner an official driver's position for the 2004 season," the team said in a statement on Wednesday. "We hope to complete the deal within a week."
Baumgartner became the first Hungarian to compete in Formula One at his home grand prix in August, retiring with engine failure. In September, he finished 11th at Monza in Italy.
Minardi owner Paul Stoddart said he looked forward to welcoming Baumgartner to the fold.
"His performance last year, when with very little notice he replaced Firman, impressed me greatly," Stoddart said.
"We're all impatient to start the 2004 season with Zsolt."
Last weekend Minardi, the only team who failed to score a point in 2003, signed Italian Gianmaria Bruni, whom Stoddart described as "a new Formula One star in the making".
Faenza-based Minardi had Dutchman Jos Verstappen and Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa in their line-up at the end of the season and Stoddart had made overtures towards Verstappen about a seat in 2004.
If Baumgartner signs, Jordan, who have options on Germany's Nick Heidfeld and Firman, will be the only team with driver vacancies for next year.
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