Bruni to Race for Minardi in 2004

Minardi announced today they have signed Gianmaria Bruni as one of the team's 2004 race drivers.

The 22-year old Italian has been testing for Minardi in 2003 during their Friday morning sessions, having also finished third in the European F3000 championship. Roman-born, Bruni also raced before in the British F3 series and the Italian Formula Renault.

"We've obviously had the benefit of observing Gimmi at close quarters this past season because of his testing role with European Minardi, and we're extremely pleased to have been able to sign him as a race driver for the 2004 season," comments Team Principal, Paul Stoddart.

"We've chosen him because we think he has fantastic natural ability behind the wheel of a race

car and is a fitting successor to previous European Minardi drivers, such as Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Justin Wilson. It's clear Gimmi will be following in some illustrious footsteps, but we are absolutely confident he is a new Formula One star in the making."

A delighted Bruni added: "I'm just so happy. From when I was a small boy, I wanted only to be a Formula One driver. I'm one of the lucky ones, because that dream has now come true. My clear goal will be to improve with the team this coming season. This is only the first step, however, as I will just be one of 20 drivers on the grid at the beginning.

"My aim is to move forward and establish myself in F1, like other Minardi drivers have done in the past. I want to thank Paul Stoddart and the European Minardi team very much. They gave me a good chance this past summer, and it has all come together very quickly since then."

Bruni's teammate at Minardi next year will be announced in the near future, the team said.