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In a groundbreaking development for
Israeli motorsport,
the
Minardi F1 Team
today announced that, following two successful tests,
and a further planned for later this week, it has signed
Chanoch Nissany as an official test driver for the 2005
season.
Budapest-domiciled Nissany will assist the team with its
test and development programme in the course of the year,
although he is not scheduled to take part in Friday test
sessions during Formula One weekends. The news was
officially revealed this morning to a packed press
conference in Israel.
Nissany has not trodden a conventional
route to the top levels of motor racing, having only
launched his driving career in 2002, competing in the
Hungarian Formula 2000 National Championship and Central
European Zone Circuit Trophy. Results came quickly, however,
and subsequently, he raced in selected rounds of the World
Series Light by Nissan Championship and F3000 International
Championship. In the last 12 months, he has also had four F1
tests – two with Jordan and two with Minardi.
“We’re very pleased to be able to
announce here in Israel that we have signed Chanoch as a
test driver,” says Minardi Cosworth Team Principal, Paul
Stoddart. “In the course of the two recent test sessions in
which he has participated, he has impressed us with his
enthusiasm, his willingness to learn and his fitness.
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Chanoch Nissany has been signed
by Minardi following two successful tests, with a
one further planned for this week |
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Chanoch Nissany has
been signed by Minardi as their 2005 'official'
Formula One test driver following two recent tests,
including one held at the Misano circuit last month
(above) |
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"Although Chanoch has not competed in single-seater racing
for that long, he nonetheless has experience of a wide range
of machinery. As a result, we felt he could be of real
assistance with the team’s test programme this year. On a
personal note, I derive considerable satisfaction from the
fact that, once again, Minardi is able to contribute in a
practical way to the very worthwhile goal of raising the
awareness of Formula One in an area of the world where the
sport has not previously had a significant profile. This
can only be a good thing.”
Chanoch Nissany: Race Career
2002:
Formula 2000, Hungarian National Championship (Szasz
Motorsport) - Runner-up;
Group E-2000 FIA
Central European Zone Circuit Trophy (Szasz Motorsport) -
Champion;
2003:
Formula 2000, Hungarian National Championship (Szasz
Motorsport) - Champion; Group E-2000 FIA Central European
Zone Circuit Trophy (Szasz Motorsport) - Champion; World
Series Light by Nissan Championship (Szasz Motorsport) -
competed in selected rounds; 2004:
Formula 2000, Hungarian National Championship (Szasz
Motorsport) - Champion; F3000 International Championship,
official test driver, Coloni Motorsport - competed
Hungaroring, Spa and Monza rounds; Formula One, tests for
Jordan Ford and Minardi Cosworth;
2005:
Formula One, official Test Driver. Minardi Cosworth
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