http://www.minardi.it/eng/
The 1999 season was kind to Minardi, which scored its first point since Pedro Lamy came sixth in the 1995 Adelaide GP. A neat, reliable car and the driver pairing of Marc Gene and Luca Badoer saw the little team get close to richer teams on occasion, and a top ten spot in the Constructors' Championship had led to $10 million worth of free travel in 2000.
Minardi was successful in Formula Two before joining F1 in 1985. Using the unfashionable Moteri Moderni engine, the team initially performed badly and was something of a joke. Only the occasional heroic drive by Alessandro Nannini salvaged its pride.
In 1988, points began to accumulate, with Pierluigi Martini’s sixth place in Detroit being the first top six result. A switch to Pirelli tyres a year later proved to be a shrewd move. The new rubber was incredibly effective in qualifying at some circuits, allowing Martini to start from the front four rows on several occasions, with a front row slot at Phoenix in 1990 being the highlight.
A deal to use Ferrari engines in 1991 promised much but turned sour. Two years later Minardi had its best season to date. Christian Fittipaldi and Fabrizio Barbazza took several points finishes and eighth in the constructor’s contest.
Since 1994, Minardi has been less competitive, generally rooted to the back rows of the grid. Despite employing talented drivers like Ukyo Katayama, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli, a lack of cash and underpowered engines has prevented progress.
A group of Italian businessmen, including Flavio Briatore and Alessandro Nannini, bought into the team at the end of 1996, making the financial situation more secure.
Marc Gene performed surprisingly well considering his lack of experience, and a frenetic European Grand Prix enabled him to score the team’s first point in four years.
Marc Gene remained with the team for 2000 and Rookie Gaston Mazzacane joined.
Minardi were battling to reach the first race in the 2001 season. Then came Paul Stoddart to the rescue! Things now look a little brighter for the Minardi team.
2000 Result - No points.
2001 Line-up
- Fernando Alonso, TBA