08/12/2005
NEWS STORY
MF1 Racing has confirmed today that 2005 Champ Car and F3000 Italia driver Fabrizio del Monte will conduct a one-day test for the team on Saturday 10 December at Jerez.
Del Monte began racing go-karts in Italy at the age of 13. His professional motorsport career includes a test in 2003 with the Minardi F1 team and several podium finishes in both the European and Italian Formula Renault Series. He also finished 2nd in the 2003 and 2004 Superfund Euro F3000 championships, with three race wins and six podiums out of 10 starts in 2004. He completed three races in F3000 Italia and two races in the Champ Car Series in 2005.
The news comes at a time when Nicky Pastorelli's test role with the Russian team is in doubt, following the withdrawal of a sponsor.
Writing on his website, Pastorelli, who was due toi test at Jerez this week, wrote: "It's a pity. Maybe there is a way to solve this problem shortly, but maybe not.
"At this point I won't burden the team unnecessarily with this test if it is not clear if there is a future for me with Midland F1."