Formula 1 news

Stoddart tore up Kiesa deal

A grinning Paul Stoddart ceremonially tore up a thick contract at Austria's Casino Velden. The Minardi owner said it had covered Patrick Friesacher's mooted 'third' testing role, but it might as well have been that of past 2005 shoe-in Nicolas Kiesa.

24-year-old rookie Friesacher will race into F1 alongside Christijan Albers next month, effectively completing the F1 line-up. The Wolfsberg-born driver, who raced in F3000 last year, said becoming a grand prix racer is the realisation 'of a long held dream.'

It's believed that Danish driver Kiesa's pledged financial backing fell through. Stoddart, though, called second choice Friesacher - reportedly bringing about a third of Kiesa's promised purse - 'quick' and 'consistent. "I firmly believe Patrick and Christijan provide Minardi with an extremely strong young driver line-up."

Friesacher's manager is Hungarian GP promoter Thomas Frank.

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