Minardi Launch Rookie Assault.

The latest Minardi chassis was launched today at the headquarters of its newest sponsor, as the team unveiled its least experienced driving line-up for many seasons.


The new car - designated MO1 - was revealed to the public at the home of Spanish team sponsor Telefonica, with great interest in new driver Marc Gene generated among local press. The Spaniard continues a tradition among his countrymen for running with Minardi, following Luis Sala and Adrian Campos in signing with the team.


The team is hoping that uprated Ford engines, and an all-new car will help it compete with its nearest rivals in Formula One, but may be hampered by the inexperience of its rookie driver line-up. Speculation and rumour concerns the second seat at the Faenza outfit, with certain sections of the media reporting that Argentine Gaston Mazzacane may only have signed as test driver, rather than to the race team as previously thought.


Nevertheless, should Mazzacane only be affiliated to the test team, it is unlikely that Minardi will be able to sign an experienced F1 pilot for 1999, with Uruguayan Gonzalo Rodriguez remaining the most likely candidate to line up alongside Gene, as Luca Badoer and Shinji Nakano appear to be out of the reckoning.