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22.07.2003  MINARDI SIGN GIAMMARIA BRUNI AS OFFICIAL TEST AND RESERVE DRIVER FOR REMAINDER OF THE SEASON


FAENZA, ITALY, July 22, 2003 – European Minardi Cosworth is pleased to announce that, with immediate effect, highly promising Italian, Giammaria Bruni, has been signed by the team as official Test and Reserve driver for the remainder of the 2003 Formula One season.  As such, he will participate in Friday morning test sessions during Grand Prix weekends, as well as in the official Monza Formula One test, from September 2-4.

Bruni’s inclusion in the Faenza squad’s line-up has been made possible by the support of a group of Italian investors, who requested Minardi to assess the driver market and, in the team’s long-established tradition, to select and provide the opportunity for a young Italian to demonstrate his talent on the international stage in order to develop into a future star of the sport.

“Naturally enough, this group of investors spoke with several teams concerning their proposed project,” explains European Minardi Team Principal, Paul Stoddart. “In the end, however, we’re pleased to say they chose Minardi because of the natural fit between the team and their objective. Initial discussions took place over a year ago with Giancarlo Minardi, who is heavily involved with formulating our young driver development strategy, and we have now had the chance to make our choice.  ‘Gimmy’, as he likes to be called, has been a winner in Italian and European-level motor racing championships, currently lies second in the F3000 European Championship, and is clearly a very talented driver who is ready to make the final step to Formula One. I’m sure he is going to be a great addition to the team." 

career highlights:

1991-94 Karting 
1995  European Karting Championship, 3rd overall
1997  Italian Championship Formula Renault Campus
1998  Italian Championship Formula Renault Campus - Champion
1999  European Formula Renault Championship, (JD Motorsport Team) - Champion, Casco d’Argento (Silver Helmet) from Autosprint at the Bologna Motorshow 
2000  British F3 Championship, (Fortec Team), 5th overall
2001  British F3 Championship, (Fortec Team), 4th overall, 1 win at Donington, 6 podium finishes; Marlboro Masters, Zandvoort, 5th
2002  F3000 European Championship, 12th overall
2003  F3000 European Championship, 2nd so far this season with 2 wins, FIA F1 World Championship (European Minardi Cosworth) – Test Driver


Gimmi Bruni

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