Australian duo get Minardi chance

Minardi will give two young Australians Formula One test drives next season, team chief Paul Stoddart confirmed on a visit to his homeland.

Will Davison and Will Power will undertake a seat fitting at the season opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 4-7.

“The taste we can give them through a test drive will not guarantee they get to F1 but it should be a very good experience for them,” said Melbourne-born Stoddart.

Davison, 21, won a race in the British Formula Three Championship this year while Power, 22, also took part in the series.

Minardi were the only team that failed to score a point last season as Stoddart battled to keep his team, based in England and Italy, on the grid but the aviation tycoon is confident their future is secure.

“Minardi finished 2003 in better shape than it’s been for a while,” added Stoddart.

“It’s not easy. At the end of the day we’re solid, and we’ll be there next year, and the year after, and the year after that but hopefully better funded along the way.”