Mazzacane For Minardi.

Minardi has completed the year 2000 Formula One line-up by announcing that it has signed Gaston Mazzacane to partner Marc Gene.


The team was scheduled to reveal its partnership at its official launch in Bilbao on Wednesday, but announced today that the Argentine would replace Luca Badoer this season. Mazzacane, who tested sporadically for Minardi in 1999, fought off challenges from compatriot Norberto Fontana and Brazilian Max Wilson for the seat, despite both his rivals having more top level experience.


Although he was already known to the team through his testing deal, it is widely acknowledged that Mazzacane probably earned the seat as much on the strength of his financial backing than on his driving skill, and got the nod over Wilson because Minardi's main sponsor, Telefonica, preferred an Argentine to partner Gene. The team, however, is keen to point out that the decision was not purely money-based.


"[Gaston] gave a very favourable impression during a testing session at the Fiorano track a few weeks ago," insisted an official statement.


Minardi will unveil the Ford-powered 02 chassis at the new Bilbao Guggenheim art museum on 16 February, and then join the next test session in Barcelona from Thursday. It becomes the last of the eleven team to unveil its new charger, delayed because of uncertainty over its engine supplier for 2000.