Townsend Bell to test Minardi

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Minardi seem to be after the Americans and the Russians. Who knows if we will have a Russian in one car and an American in another next season? They are testing Townsend Bell on September 17th, and have already had Bryan Herta in the car. Gazprom, Minardi's new Russian sponsor, seem to want a Russian driving and Paul Stoddart agrees. Sergey Zlobin has already tested the car, so what about Bell-Zlobin for 2003?

[nichosnz 0]

Never been a Russian and there hasn't been an American in a while either. So that would be a sight to see.

[nichosnz 0]

Both of those teams are now out of the Basketball World Series too and NZ is in the Semi's.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It would be interesting to see Russians and Americans in the same team, wonder how PR people would handle it cuz there is still some dislike of the Russians over here among older people.

[nichosnz 0]

Really I thought all that was gone by now. Bit of a long standing grudge isn't it. Bit like the English towards the Germans.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Not even mentioning the continuous jokes between the French and English! Here really its just all the Americans look down on the Russians, after the Cold War the tensions were gone but still there is evidence of dislike towards them.

[nichosnz 0]

In NZ we are a bit like that with the Aussies but only in a freindly way, and usually about sports.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

That is like what we have between Finland and Sweden. Though when it comes to ice hockey the battle gets pretty damn brutal, its a national pride matter when the our hockey teams meet. I can still remember the game where Finland beat Sweden for the 1995 world championship, and 1998 the game where Finland embarrased Sweden at Nagano in the quarterfinals.

Otherwise us Finns have a great deal of Swedish jokes, while the Swedish make fun of the Norwegians. Really its all just fun and friendly, but sports is a matter of more seriousness.

[nichosnz 0]

Our main sports of serious competition are Rugby and Cricket. Us New Zealanders like to think Netball and Rugby League also, but to be honest the Aussies are always better than us here.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Hehe, in recent years all competition has been close between Finland and Sweden in just about everything, but Finland has prevailed in all but the most unheard of sports.

[nichosnz 0]

Although a New Zealander keeps winning the Australian Rally Championship. HaHa.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

While a Finn has won the Swedish Rally Championship the past four years!

[nichosnz 0]

Ha Ha He He, And a New Zealand team has won the minor premiership in the Aussie League competition this past weekend.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I was just watching Aussie Rules football on the telly here, looks like fun Brutal sports you play down there...

[nichosnz 0]

Yes Aussie Rules is vey violent. New Zealeand is just starting to cotton on to it. I have noticed in the team summary graphic that is shown on screen for an Aussie Rules game there is column marked Injuries, as there are so common.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Minardi have now stepped back and said that it is not certain that Bell will get the test, instead Sergey Zlobin will be running again. Wonder how that happened?

[nichosnz 0]

Something to do with Gazprom maybe, oops conspiracy theory.

[daz 0]

Something to do with Gazprom maybe, oops conspiracy theory.

Think u hit the nail on the head there!!!

[nichosnz 0]

First thing that came to my head on the matter.

[daz 0]

You're absolutely right though. Money talks in F1 (Just look at Yoong) so if it takes a russian driver to get some more $$$'s into Minardi then I'm sure thats what Paul will be signing up for next year. Just hope it doesn't turn into another Yoong type disaster though...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Zlobin has had some meritable results in the past, I dont think hed be as bad as Yoong in the Minardi. Gazprom is definitely the reason for the test in Italy next week no doubt.

[nichosnz 0]

Has he, never heard of the chap until this Minardi test business occured. What series is he coming from, so I can check out my Autosports to get a feel for his ability. Hope Paul doesn't have the Zlobin/Yoong pairing, tempting for the sponsorship, but could prove costly long term if Zlobin performs like Yoong.

[nichosnz 0]

Has he, never heard of the chap until this Minardi test business occured. What series is he coming from, so I can check out my Autosports to get a feel for his ability. Hope Paul doesn't have the Zlobin/Yoong pairing, tempting for the sponsorship, but could prove costly long term if Zlobin performs like Yoong.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

European F3000 I beleive, heard he had a few good results. Yoong wont be driving for Minardi next year, Stoddart has confirmed it.

[nichosnz 0]

Good Yoong is out, that must mean Stoddart is not happy with his test times after his break. If nothing else Yoong is out of his depth.