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Now we could have a Turk driving at Istanbul
From Autosport
Austrian Patrick Friesacher is likely to lose his Minardi Formula One drive next week because his sponsorship money has dried up.
"Patrick being replaced at the next race is a strong possibility because of sponsorship money not being paid," Minardi boss Paul Stoddart told Reuters on Friday.
The Australian entrepreneur said three drivers were in the frame to replace the 24-year-old and a decision would be taken early next week before the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
He gave no names but the two most likely candidates are Jordan's Dutch reserve driver Robert Doornbos and Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner.
Were Doornbos to get the drive, Minardi would have a double Dutch line-up with compatriot Christijan Albers in the other car.
Baumgartner, the first Hungarian to race in the Formula One Championship, drove for Minardi last season and scored a point at the US Grand Prix.
Friesacher, who raced in the now-defunct Formula 3000 junior series last year, secured his Minardi seat in February after Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa was unable to come up with enough sponsorship.
He would otherwise have been the reserve driver.
The Austrian scored three points at Indianapolis when just six cars took part following the withdrawal of the seven Michelin teams because of fears about the safety of their tyres on the final banked corner.
Turkish Driver
Otherwise Friesacher's Formula One career has been unremarkable with Minardi, the slowest and poorest team on the starting grid. He has not finished six of the 11 races.
There have been problems with his financial backing for more than a month, with Minardi demanding that all of their drivers bring in sponsorship.
Stoddart said Minardi had also had discussions about possibly linking up with a Turkish driver at the country's inaugural Grand Prix in Istanbul next month.
"We have talked to a Turkish driver and if a commercial deal is concluded, we would be proud to run him in Turkey," the Australian said.
The deal could involve a demonstration run or, less likely because of superlicence constraints, a Friday test slot as a third driver. A race drive is out of the question.
The only Turkish driver currently at a high enough level in single-seaters is Can Artam, who competes in the GP2 series that has replaced Formula 3000 as the main Formula One support category at race weekends.
Comments
I would prefer Zsolt in the car if he can get the money as he is used to the team.
local politics in Carinthia is hotting up. Haider claims he has given the money as outlined in the contract and Frank has no idea where it has gone. Haider paid 2 million US$ (out of a total 5 million) the rest was coughed up by Remus and they are also adamant that they paid everything necessary.
Frank meanwhile "is not able to say anything as it would get him into trouble, he had a non written agreement with sponsors that are not being adhered to."
re: Turkish driver. A guy I play football with at Bath Uni is quite a big stint in Turkish racing. Last year, he did a placement with Renault F1. He races in Formula 3 as well. Jason Linden-Tahincioglu if that rings a bell to some of you guys who follow F3.
hope Can make a deal with Stoddard, im sure turkish companies will be looking for sponsorship agreements.
1. We need to get some consistancy with a driver to attract some more fans and develop a mutaual brand recognition for both driver and minardi.
2. A driver who is locked into a longer term contract will begin to develop a better working relationship with the team so that communication is better on setting up the car.
3. Zsolt is not only a good driver he's very very personable! He does well with personal interaction with the fans and he's not a pompous arrogant driver that, well, frankly, he's not like Jos. That can all be good for Minardi.
We should get Zsolt back and lock him down to a longer term contract once and for all. Then maybe we can fire the damn sponsership director at Minardi and find someone who actually does work. I'm going to start another thread on that topic.
anyway hope whoever comes to minardi seat would be fine
i mean Zsolt will not be a new face and dont think he's gonna bring an excitement. i knew he was the proud of hungary last season, but let the new drivers :)
2 fast guys should be in the race cars. A newcomer with money should be in the 3rd car. Zsolt should be in Nissany's job. Nissany should be working in the sponsor hunting department at Minardi, because his powers of persuasion must be mighty impressive to get someone to bankroll his little track days. Minardi's current commercial team should be doing something else.
Sorry guys just couldn't resist. Just couldn't :D:D:D:hehe:
Don't ask me what was the problem, I don't know... and this story is very mysterious .
Zsolt's new manager is Rick Gorne.
I'm assuming he's also related to the current Turkish F3 champion, Mert Tahincioğlu?
>IF he has the money he will get to do a demo-drive!!!!!
Jordan is allready there...