Renault tester ready for F1...

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from f1cenral.net:

Renault tester ready for F1

Renault 'third' driver Franck Montagny will be placed at back-of-the-grid Formula One team Minardi next season as racer, speculation said on Tuesday.

The French ace tested for the little Faenza-based team a couple of seasons ago but may be financed in view of becoming a works Renault driver in the future.

He certainly 'deserves' a spot on the F1 grid, according to Pat Symonds.

Renault's engineering chief answered 'I don't know' to a question about whether 26-year-old Montagny's future is at Enstone but he is 'doing a very good job.

''He's mature, intelligent, consistent,'' came the superlatives.

Symonds added: ''As a test driver we're very happy with him.''

Franck's long time manager Gilles Bellec, meanwhile, has been quoted as believing the Frenchman is 'ready' to race in F1 after thousands of test miles.

''He's won lots of races (too),'' Montagny's countryman claimed.

[nojvnof1 0]

Apparently Renault want to keep him as a tester as they're happy with his input re. the development of the R24 and want his help with the R25, however, I see him in a Minardi next year, paid for by Flav. Franck was offered the drive at Minardi this year but turned it down to do more testing and get more experience. I think he'll move for next year, but still be under the large Renault driver banner.

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Minardi will require drivers with financial backing

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Enter Flavio Briatore...

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hes has done it befour and he will do it again just look at the great divers that have come out of it.

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Difficult choice: Stay as a tester at a top team like Renault or become a full-time GP driver at an outfit like Minardi

[AutoRacer5 0]

i'd drive for minardi, you do get track exp at the actual gp tracks, and you do get gp exp and get more noticed, unless you are AD.

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i'd drive for minardi, you do get track exp at the actual gp tracks, and you do get gp exp and get more noticed, unless you are AD.

You do get more experience as a GP driver but its important not to rush into the limelight too quickly as it can sometimes ruin a driver