Minardi name Friesacher as driver

Minardi yesterday named Austrian driver Patrick Friesacher as their second race driver for this season.

The Formula One minnows had been expected to sign Denmark’s Nicolas Kiesa, but a funding problem opened the door for Friesacher.

Friesacher, 24, has won races in Formula 3000 and is looking forward to stepping up to Formula One, where he will partner Dutchman Christijan Albers.