Zlobin Tests for Minardi at Vallelunga

Russian Sergey Zlobin returned to the wheel of a Formula One car today when he tested for the Minardi team at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.

Zlobin, who became the first Russian to drive a Grand Prix car back in 2002, will take part in a further test programme with the team over the next four months thanks to the support of the SMP Commercial Bank.

The Russian spent much of the day becoming familiar with the controls of the Minardi and re-acquainting himself with Formula One performance. Zlobin covered 226 km and posted a quickest time of 1:06.850.

"It is almost two years since I last drove a Minardi F1 car, and to my surprise, I arrived at Vallelunga to find a team that looks younger, rather than older, compared with the last time we worked together," said the Russian driver. "I'm not sure what has changed, but I also found it easier to understand what the engineers were telling me on this occasion and to learn from their comments.

"I'm happy with my performance today, even if the weather was a little too hot for my liking. I don't feel physically tired from driving, but the heat is very draining. The next time we test, it should be cooler, which will make life a bit easier.

"I would like to thank the team, and in particular, Gian Carlo Minardi, for their assistance in organising this test programme."

Portugal's Tiago Monteiro will test for Minardi tomorrow at Vallelunga, while Zlobin is provisionally scheduled to continue his programme with the team at Misano in November.