<I>GoldenPalace.com</I> bets on Minardi.

The Minardi team has confirmed that, following a successful introduction at last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, online gaming company GoldenPalace.com has agreed to become a commercial partner of the Faenza operation for the remainder of the 2004 season.

The three Minardi-Cosworth PS04s. driven by race regulars Gianmaria Bruni and Zsolt Baumgartner as well as official test driver Bas Leinders, will carry the internet casino's eye-catching logo on the nose, side pods and rear wing end-plates from this weekend's United States Grand Prix.

"We are very pleased that GoldenPalace.com has decided to join Minardi as a commercial partner for the remainder of the season," commented team principal Paul Stoddart, "It is once again gratifying for us that a company that has previous experience of sponsorship has decided that Minardi provides it with the promotional platform of choice for its highly popular services. We warmly welcome GoldenPalace.com to the Minardi family, and look forward to a mutually productive relationship."

The deal marks the first time that a virtual casino has used Formula One to promote its services, although GoldenPalace.com is not new to the world of sports sponsorship, having previously been involved with Major League baseball, the National Hockey League, ARCA/REMAX stock car racing, WWE wrestling and several high-profile boxers and celebrities, such as Bernard Hopkins, Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman.

"Formula One has an enormous worldwide following and this is a major coup," insisted company CEO, Richard Rowe, ""We know, from previous experience with other sports sponsorships, that our involvement with Minardi for the rest of the 2004 season will increase our visibility in a huge way, and we are extremely proud and excited to be joining the team."