Minardi confirms Malcharek as test driver.

KL Minardi Asiatech today [Wednesday] confirmed that Jirko Malcharek has been signed as a test driver for the team during the remainder of the 2002 season.

The decision was taken following a successful test by the Slovakian driver at the Vairano track last week.

Malcharek was introduced to the Faenza-based squad by European F3000 Championship team, GP Racing, for whom he has also tested.

The Bratislava-based driver, who has a technical education, brings a considerable depth of motorsport experience to the role, having competed in Touring Car racing, the Porsche Supercup and the FIA GT Championship in recent years.

"KL Minardi Asiatech is delighted to have signed Jirko to assist with its aerodynamic testing work," comments team founder, Gian Carlo Minardi. "He is fully dedicated to the role and impressed the team's engineers with his technical feedback at the recent Vairano test."

"An added bonus is that his height, weight and body proportions are similar to those of Mark Webber. We look forward to working with Jirko."