Grapevine: Fans Step In to Help Baumgartner

Just a few days after one of his main sponsors, oil company Mol Rt. decided to reduce its backing, Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner's Formula One career has been thrown a lifeline by some of his loyal supporters.

Within barely 24 hours, fearing their dream of finally getting one of their countryman into the sport might become a nightmare, Hungarian people from all around the world - including Germany, the USA and Austria - helped to raise about $US 210,000, hoping this would let Baumgartner to pay his $US 8 million Minardi bill.

The 23-year-old driver, who made his Formula One debut with Jordan at the Hungaroring last year, signed a race contract with the Faenza-based squad for the 2004 season before Christmas, but may fail to appear on the grid because Mol Rt.'s unexpected decision.

After having been contacted by a vast number of people willing to help, Baumgartner's management decided to set up a "Baumgartner's Supporter's Club." If this scheme manages to raise about $US 1.2 million - the amount reportedly missing after Mol Rt. has pulled out - before the January 23 deadline set by Minardi, the young driver should be lining up on the Melbourne grid on March 7.

"I can only say I am immensely moved. What I have experienced in the last 24 hours was beyond all my expectations," - Zsolt's father, Antal Baumgartner - the owner of the largest Renault dealership in Hungary - said.

"12 hours before I was convinced it was all over, that we didn't have any hope, but the incredible way in which people got together to help us and their immense kindliness have given me new strength," he added, stating that "We will fight on until the last moment."

According to an official statement, anyone may join the club "who can offer moral or financial help" to Baumgartner. People offering more than HUF 5000 ($US 23) will receive a "special present" from the Baumgartner family, while supporters who pay HUF 1 million ($US 4677) or more will get their name written on the side of the Hungarian driver's car in each of next season's races.

If the deal with Minardi still doesn't materialize, Baumgartner will pay back all the money gathered through the Supporter's Club, the statement said.

Only a year ago that Briton Justin Wilson had to set up a scheme just as revolutionary, offering investors to buy shares in himself, so he could be able to pay for a Formula One drive - at Minardi.