Minardi Complete Three-Day Test at Vallelunga

The Minardi Formula One team completed today a three-day testing programme at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.

The Anglo-Italian squad continued to evaluate young drivers and today it was the turn of Indian Narain Karthikeyan and Austrian Norbert Siedler to take to the track at the wheel of the PS03 car. They were both joined by the team's test driver Gianmaria Bruni.

Karthikeyan, India's first Formula One driver, tested only in the morning and was the slowest of the three drivers with a time of 1:08.500.

"It was great to be back in a Formula One car, even if it was only for some laps this morning," said Karthikeyan. "I'd particularly like to thank Paul Stoddart and the team for giving me this opportunity, and I hope today's test will now encourage some of India's major corporations to get behind me and support my efforts to secure a Formula One seat in 2004."

Siedler, meanwhile, made his Formula One debut today and could complete 47 laps to post a fastest time of 1:04.305. The Austrian was delighted with his day's work.

"This was a really great experience. It was impressive to drive the F1 car, especially for the first five laps or so, as the speed was incredible, and the brakes, too," he said. "I had great fun, and I wish to thank my sponsor, Superfund, for supporting me so well. This was a fantastic Christmas present for me."

Bruni was the busiest of the three men with 130 laps. His best time was 1:02.216.