Minardi drivers collide at Mugello.

Minardi's two-day test at Mugello got off to a rocky start today [Wednesday], when Christijan Albers was involved with a collision with his own team-mate, test driver, Chanoch Nissany.

As Minardi don't test much anyway, this is quite a big set-back, something not alleviated by the fact the programme started late this morning anyway following 'a variety of technical problems' that kept the cars in the garage.

The incident occurred 'following a misunderstanding about track position', which 'resulted in both Minardi chassis having to be returned to the team's garage for repairs'. Although no one driver was blamed, it is likely that Nissany was at fault, simply because he has very little experience in an F1 car and at best is just a 'token' driver to try and drum up additional funding.

Patrick Friesacher however, at least had a more positive day in the second PS05, and after his gearbox problem was fixed, he completed 38 laps this afternoon.

"It's difficult to hide the fact that we're disappointed by the crash between our two drivers, as it has put us behind with the scheduled test programme," said Minardi sporting director and team manager, Massimo Rivola.

"On the positive side [though], Patrick was able to do some useful running and, as a result, we have made progress on improving reliability.

"In addition, we are grateful to Bridgestone for making available a number of different tyre compounds for evaluation at this test.

"Finally, I would like to make it clear that Minardi is fully respecting the testing arrangement that is in place with other teams, and although we have three chassis present here at Mugello, we have only allowed two cars on track at the same time. We will now hope fervently for a better day tomorrow."

Minardi meanwhile have confirmed that Chinese racer, Marchy Lee Ying-Kin, will not now get his first taste of F1 this week, as his run has been temporarily postponed due to a 'logistics problem'.