13.03.2004 MINARDI TEST DRIVER BAS LEINDERS COMPLETES QUALIFICATION FOR SUPERLICENCE AND WILL NOW JOIN FRIDAY TESTING IN MALAYSIA

Wilux Minardi Cosworth official Test and Reserve Driver, Bas Leinders, has successfully completed 315 kms in a Minardi Cosworth F1 car, under observation, at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. The 28-year-old Belgian has thus fulfilled the on-track requirement for his Superlicence, the application for which will now proceed through normal channels. 

The intention is that Leinders will take part in the Friday test sessions during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, and at all subsequent rounds of the 2004 Formula One World Championship, in a third Wilux Minardi Cosworth PS04B chassis, alongside regular race drivers, Gianmaria Bruni and Zsolt Baumgartner.

“I’m very pleased to have completed today’s test, although the weather conditions were not so good,” commented Leinders at the conclusion of Thursday’s test. “There were heavy snowfalls all around the region, while here in Fiorano we ran on a wet track all day because of the rain. A part from the polar temperatures, I had a trouble free session and I feel pretty satisfied.

"Now I’m looking forward to travelling to Malaysia where I will officially start my job as a test driver to assist the Minardi Cosworth team in the development of the PS04B Minardi chassis.”