del Monte to test Minardi.
Euro F3000 runner-up Fabrizio del Monte has landed himself with the chance to test a Formula One car thanks to his performances - and a recent tie-up between Minardi and his regular GP Racing team.
del Monte, who claimed the vice-champion's slot after Gianmaria Bruni opted to miss the penultimate round of the Euro F3000 series to travel to Japan as third driver for Minardi, will run with the Italian minnow in a special test at Vallelunga, which recently gained approval for F1 use, on 12 December.
Euro F3000 runner-up Fabrizio del Monte has landed himself with the chance to test a Formula One car thanks to his performances - and a recent tie-up between Minardi and his regular GP Racing team.
del Monte, who claimed the vice-champion's slot after Gianmaria Bruni opted to miss the penultimate round of the Euro F3000 series to travel to Japan as third driver for Minardi, will run with the Italian minnow in a special test at Vallelunga, which recently gained approval for F1 use, on 12 December.
"Words can't express how happy I am," del Monte admitted, "The Minardi team is giving me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I don't want to ruin it. I've been training everyday so I can be 100 per cent prepared and ready. I could only imagine how challenging it will be to drive a Formula One car, so I don't want to neglect the physical side of it."
The test represents personal landmark for del Monte, as well as for GP Racing as well, as the team helped to relaunch his single-seater career after opportunities to progress appeared to have dried up.
"I believe that del Monte is one of the most competitive drivers on the international scene," team boss Tancredi Pagiaro insisted, "I am therefore very happy that the Minardi F1 team has given him the possibility to prove himself during the test session at Vallelunga. I'm sure that Fabrizio will fully take advantage of this opportunity!"
