Minardi Launch Arab Driver Initiative

The Minardi team today announced that they have entered into a contractual agreement with Algerian driver Nassim Sidi Said to develop a young drivers training scheme in the Arab country.

The Anglo-Italian squad said both parties will evaluate the possibility of assisting the motor racing career of a suitable Arab competitor with a view to an eventual debut in the Formula One World Championship.

Under the agreement, Sidi Said will "take charge of devising a suitable training and evaluation programme to facilitate the selection of the most promising Arab drivers and to assist them to progress into careers in motor racing."

"The team is pleased to have entered into this significant alliance with Nassim Sidi Said," said Minardi boss Paul Stoddart.

"We are very conscious that the launch of the inaugural Grand Prix of Bahrain, in 2004, will generate a notably increased awareness of, and interest in, Formula One in the Arab world, thereby significantly enhancing the sport's position as a global promotional vehicle.

"With this announcement, it is clear European Minardi aims to be at the forefront of such activities in the Middle East. In the same way that we have assisted the careers of other young drivers, we also look forward to providing Nassim with the chance to become the first Arab driver to gain first-hand experience of Formula One."

Minardi also said that, as a result of this venture, 30-year old Sidi Said may be offered the opportunity to test a Minardi Formula One car in the future. He is currently the only Arab driver competing at a high level of professional motor racing.

He has competed in the French, Italian and Spanish Formula Three championships. In 2004 Sidi Said plans to compete in the French, German and Austrian F3 series.