Minardi to Put Yoong Through Simulated Race

Minardi will put Malaysian Formula One driver Alex Yoong through a simulated race and test his fitness today, the team said.

Minardi took to the test track on Tuesday for the first time this year, with Yoong completing 25 laps in Valencia and Italian Matteo Bobbi putting in 19.

"Alex will be running through a simulated race," said team boss Paul Stoddart in a team statement. "We are looking for reliability and we'll also test how much Alex's fitness programme has improved over the winter."

Minardi, with one of the smallest budgets in Formula One, have rarely been able to join other teams at tests in previous seasons but this year they have a free supply of engines from Asiatech and healthy sponsorship from Malaysia.

They beat Arrows and the cash-strapped Prost team to testing, with Prost still waiting to hear whether they have a Grand Prix future and Arrows expected to get their new Cosworth-powered car running later in January.

Bobbi, 23, competed in Spain in Formula Nissan last season and the Milanese will test further on Wednesday before handing over to 21-year-old Spaniard Antonio Garcia.

"Considering it was his first time out in the car, he did an incredible job," said Stoddart. "He will certainly have a bright future."

Australian Mark Webber, a favourite to get the second Minardi drive alongside Yoong since Spaniard Fernando Alonso left to become a Renault test driver, will be on track on Thursday and Friday with Dutch driver Christijan Albers.