Baumgartner signs for Coloni.

The first significant move in the 2003 F3000 driver market was completed today [Monday], with confirmation that Coloni Motorsport has signed Zsolt Baumgartner to race one of its two entries next season.

Just three weeks after the end of the 2002 campaign which took Coloni driver Giorgio Pantano close to the drivers' title, the Italian team announced its deal with Baumgartner to the Hungarian media at the Hungaroring. The talented Hungarian driver, who spent the 2002 season with erstwhile champions Nordic, was keen to conclude his deal early enough to start winter testing and gain as much information as possible before racing restarts at Imola next April.

"We are extremely happy for the conclusion of this agreement," commented Enzo Coloni, "We are more than proud to have such a talented driver. In the first test session in Hungaroring, Zsolt showed brilliant performances, and is one of the most talented driver in F3000. Coloni Motorsport will do the best to achieve with Zsolt important targets, and we are sure that he will give us big satisfactions in the 2003 championship."

Hungarian sports minister Attila Mesterh?zy, Hungaroring president and vice-president Attila Ga?l and Tomas Frank, as well as Hungarian motorsport federation president Attila Ferj?ncz were all present at the press conference.

"I am very pleased for the agreement between Coloni Motorsport and Zsolt Baumgartner," concluded team principal Paolo Coloni, "This partnership, which will take part in the prestigious FIA F3000 International Championship, is very important for our team and Hungarian motorsport. In the name of Coloni Motorsport, I wish to thank Zsolt Baumgartner and his partners for this important project. We will start the championship with the aim to win!"