Baumgartner will test at Monza

Zsolt Baumgartner will replace Ralph Firman for Jordan in this week's test at Monza. The Hungarian, who made his race debut two weeks ago in Budapest, is also set to run in the Friday morning test at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend.

Sep 2, 2003, 10:18 AM

Baumgartner will join Giancarlo Fisichella as the Jordan team begin two days of testing at the Italian Grand Prix venue tomorrow.

Firman is recovering well from his high-speed shunt at Budapest, but has been advised by doctors to make use of this week to continue resting and to resume training before the Monza race.

The Friday morning Grand Prix run was originally to have been taken by new F3000 champ Bjorn Wirdheim, but it now appears that Baumgartner will step in since he has been able to raise sponsorship money for the team.

Next week will be Baumgartner's third consecutive test in a streak that began at Hockenheim and led to his unexpected race opportunity in Budapest.

Wirdheim was also expected to do the test in the following race at Indianapolis- and for now that is still the case. The Swede will also test for BAR at Jerez in two weeks.