Bruni in talks for Minardi test role

Bruni, who drove with Fortec in this year's British Formula 3 Championship, impressed during tests with Formula 3000 International teams Coloni and Arden within the last month, and could yet fit a test role with Minardi around a drive in the F1 feeder series.

"We are speaking with Minardi," said a spokesperson from Bruni's management team. "The testing seat is free and there is the Formula 3000 team, or maybe it could be the package together. We also like Arden very much - they are an extremely serious team and Gimmi could do very well with them."

Despite the fact that Minardi has yet to confirm its drivers for next year, Alex Yoong is expected to be one of them. It is not yet known who will take the second seat, but Bruni is known not to be the list of prospective candidates.

However, while a test seat is more likely, the Italian will have to fight off competition from David Saelens, who drove for Minardi's F3000 outfit this year and had his maiden run in the PS01 F1 car in October.

The Belgian is known to want to step up to a test role with the Anglo-Italian team in 2002 and Dutchman Christijan Albers could also be in the frame.

Minardi is expected to unveil its new car in Alex Yoong's native Malaysia either later this month or in early January.