Friday February 11th, 2005

Austrian Patrick Friesacher could drive for Minardi this season after the Formula One team said they would make an announcement in the country on Tuesday.

While no names were given ahead of the news conference near Klagenfurt, 24-year-old Friesacher has been in the frame to fill the third driver test role on Fridays before Grand Prix weekends.

However, sources suggested he could still be handed the race drive alongside Dutchman Christijan Albers if Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa, being lined up for the second seat, proved unable to raise the required sponsorship.

Minardi have yet to name their second driver for the season starting in Australia on March 6.

Kiesa drove for Minardi in 2003 while Friesacher has tested for them and driven in the team's two-seater programme. The Austrian has also won races in the junior Formula 3000 championship.

Published at 17:14:56 GMT

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(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

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