In wintery sunshine, the Minardi F1 Team today made its last on-track appearance, Team Principal for the past five years, Paul Stoddart, and official tester, Chanoch Nissany, bringing the final chapter of Minardi’s memorable 21-year history in the FIA Formula One World Championship to a conclusion at the Autodromo Vallelunga.
The four day test session included rising female British driver, Katherine Legge, who successfully completed a 27-lap test for Minardi yesterday. The 25-year-old was on track from mid-morning on Wednesday, and after commencing her scheduled runs on intermediate tyres in deference to the cold and damp conditions, the team’s engineers switched her car onto dry tyres as the temperature rose and track conditions improved. It was then she strung together a series of impressively quick, consistent laps, culminating in a best time of 1 min 21.176 secs around the 4.11-km circuit that nestles in the hills above Rome. “First of all, I want to say thank you to Paul Stoddart and all the guys at Minardi for their unstinting support over the last two days," said Legge. "It has been a fantastic experience, and they have been just absolutely great the whole time. As for the test, I expected the unexpected, and that’s what I got. It was certainly a lot easier today than yesterday, mainly because I was left alone to focus on what I had to do. I did the best job I could, and bearing in mind my relative lack of experience, I’m very pleased with the result. The trouble is, I can’t wait to get back in an F1 car again now!” Sharing the track with Legge yesterday were Minardi tester, Chanoch Nissany, and young Uruguayan driver, Juan Caceres. In addition, the Minardi F1x2 cars were in action, Patrick Friesacher and Christijan Albers taking a total of 20 VIP guests for high-speed runs around the Roman circuit.
In a final gesture today, Stoddart took to the Roman circuit late this afternoon, in a lone Minardi Cosworth PS05, in order to salute the small, but enthusiastic, group of dedicated fans and supporters who had gathered to witness the historic occasion. Fittingly, former Minardi drivers, Marc Gené and Gianni Morbidelli, as well as popular Italian singing star, and long-time supporter of the Faenza squad, Max Gazzč, were among those present. As on the previous three days of the test, the Minardi F1x2 cars were also in action on Thursday, with Morbidelli, plus 2005 Minardi F1 Team drivers, Robert Doornbos and Patrick Friesacher, taking a total of 40 VIP guests, nominated primarily by commercial partner, the Muermans Group, for high-speed rides around the 4.11-km track. The team, which passed into the hands of Austrian energy drink manufacturer, Red Bull, at the beginning of November, now begins a new chapter, as Squadra Toro Rosso.
“Over the last four days, we have worked sometimes on chassis set-up and sometimes on driving technique," said Chanoch Nissany.
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The four day test session by the Minardi F1 Team at
Vallelunga included rising female British racing
driver, Katherine Legge, who successfully completed
a 27-lap test |
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"The track temperature was changing dramatically throughout
the test, which made the driving very challenging. I am
happy with the result, however, and would like to take this
opportunity to thank Minardi, and especially Paul Stoddart,
for giving me the opportunity to be part of this great
team,” added Nissany.
“It turned out a more emotional
experience than I expected to be the last person to drive a
Minardi F1 car,: commented Paul Stoddard this afternoon.
"For so many years, Minardi has tried to give so much to so
many, and it has been very touching this week to have
received so many positive comments. Now the team has moved
on to become Squadra Toro Rosso, I wish them every success,
although I know I’m not alone in thinking it will always be
Minardi in the minds of so many people. On a final note,
Minardi is only what it is because of the people within the
team, and I have enjoyed the best five years of my life
working with some truly professional individuals. Thank you
to all of them,” concluded Stoddard.
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