Minardi puts on a show

Drivers, including rising star Fernando Alonso, his team mate Alex Yoong, Tarso Marques, and team boss Paul Stoddart, gave a high-speed demonstration of a fleet of two-seater Formula 1 cars. Unsurprisingly Stoddart crossed the line first, but not before the lead had changed on every lap and every car had come into the pits to complete a mock pit stop.

The day was similar to the 'Thunder in the Park' event held at Donington in August when Mansell spectacularly crashed into the back of Alonso. And while the Italian fans didn't get a crash to watch, the drivers still managed to put on a show.

"It's a shame really that it was wet in the morning," said Marques. "But it's great to give people an idea of what it [Formula 1] is like. The proper F1 car would be quicker, but this is still good."

European Formula 3000 International drivers David Saelens and Christijan Albers also got behind the wheel of the F1 two-seater cars taking the total to six.

"It's a lot of fun," said Saelens, who tested one of the team's F1 cars during the day (click here for separate story). "A day like this is nice - you get to meet some supporters and the whole thing is really well organised. And the Italian fans like all this, especially because it's Minardi."

The entire European Minardi fleet was on hand to take part in the day's proceedings, including the Anglo-Italian team's Formula 1 cars, Formula 3000 International Lolas and also a brace of Euro F3000 cars.