Baumgartner in Talks Over Minardi Seat

After seeing his chances of getting a Jordan race seat for 2004 fading, Hungary's first Formula One driver, Zsolt Baumgartner has contacted Minardi about a possible move to the Faenza-based team, it has been revealed today.

"We have contacted Paul Stoddart, the owner of Minardi, and we'll now have to see what happens" - Baumgartner's manager, Tamas Frank told Hungarian news agency MTI.

22-year old Baumgartner had originally been signed by Jordan to drive in the two-hour test sessions of the German and Hungarian Grands Prix, but was later promoted to the race seat, when Briton Ralph Firman suffered light injuries in an accident during free practice at the Hungaroring.

After taking part in his first Formula One race ahead of his home crowd, he also raced a Jordan EJ13 in Monza, where he finished 11th. The Silverstone-based team have then offered him a contract for the 2004 season in October, provided he can raise the necessary funds.

As only CIB Bank, insurance company Uniqa, and Hungary's leading oil company Mol Rt. have been willing to assist his career so far, and time is beginning to run out as the new season approaches, Baumgartner's management faces an increasingly difficult task. Hungarian business daily NAPI Gazdasag reported last week that about US$ 3 million was missing from the budget required by the Jordan team.

Since most Hungarian firms are not interested in the international market targeted by Formula One, they are reluctant to pay Baumgartner a sum of this magnitude. A bizarre plan to start him in Austrian colors instead of Hungarian in the hope of getting more potential sponsors interested have also been rejected lately.

On top of the financial problems, Baumgartner faces tough opposition for the Jordan seat. German Nick Heidfeld, who left Sauber at the end of the 2003 season, has signed a preliminary contract with the squad, while Ralph Firman, Jos Verstappen and Heinz-Harald Frentzen are also likely candidates.

Although Minardi seems to be a cheaper alternative, and thus could keep Baumgartner's hopes of getting a permanent Formula One drive alive, it remains to be seen if Paul Stoddart is interested in hiring him.

Stoddart told Reuters on Wednesday that he would like to retain the experienced Jos Verstappen who, thanks to his strong backing, could bring a welcome amount of money to his team.

Briton Justin Wilson, released by Jaguar Racing at the end of the season after just five races, would also like to return to Minardi, while Renault-protege Jose Maria Lopez and Heikki Kovalainen, India's Narain Karthikeyan and Austrian Norbert Siedler are all scheduled to test for the Faenza-based team this week.