Zlobin kicks off Vallelunga test.

Minardi stepped an already busy September schedule by starting a parallel development test at Vallelunga to run alongside its rare appearance in an F1 group outing at Monza.

A second group of engineers from the Faenza squad's race team launched into a two-day session at the Roman, assisting Russian Sergey Zlobin with his first run in the current Minardi-Cosworth PS04B. The Moscow-based driver last drove a Minardi in November 2002, but, having attracted the support of the SMP Commercial Bank, has been signed up to take part in a test programme over the next four months.

Zlobin spent much of the day becoming familiar with the car's controls, and re-acquainting himself with Formula One performance. In the course of the morning and afternoon sessions, he covered 226km and registered a creditable fastest lap of 1min 06.850secs.

"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 to the last time we worked together," the impressed Russian revealed, "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. For sure, if the situation continues like this, I will be able to get some good results.

"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."

"The team is very satisfied with today's test here in Vallelunga," Minardi confirmed, "Considering the track is quite technical and includes two chicanes, and that Sergey has not driven a Formula One car in two years, his lap time was very good, and certainly better than we anticipated. This was a good result, and we are pleased with the driver's progress."

Regular test driver Tiago Monteiro is due to embark on his first test with the team today [Friday], with Zlobin provisionally scheduled to continue his programme at Misano's Autodromo Santamonica between 24-26 November.