The Minardi F1 Team has today announced that Enrico Toccacelo is to become the Faenza squad’s official Friday Test and Reserve Driver, commencing at next weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix. The Italian born and domiciled racer thus makes the final step to Formula One after a consistent rise through the lower motor racing formulae, his most impressive achievement to date being his second-place ranking in the final standings of the hard-fought 2004 FIA F3000 International Championship.
“This is a great opportunity for me, although it has all come together so quickly, I still can’t quite believe it,” comments Toccacelo. “This is, however, the moment that all young racing drivers are working towards, and I am determined to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can, while doing the best possible job for the team. Minardi has shown many times that it is an excellent place for a driver to start his Formula One career, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity.”
Minardi F1 Team Principal, Paul Stoddart, says, “We are very pleased to have Enrico join us as official Friday test driver. He has a strong track record in a number of formulae, and this will be an excellent way for him to begin to get to grips with Formula One. I’m equally sure he will soon be able to start providing useful data to the team’s technical staff. The Minardi Cosworth PS05 has already shown that it has considerable potential, and I’m sure the inclusion of Enrico in our driver line-up will help to accelerate the development process.”
ENRICO TOCCACELO – Personal DetailsDate of birth: December 12, 1978Born: Rome, ItalyLives: Rome, ItalyMarital status: SingleHeight: 1.83 mWeight: 72 kgSports: Skiing, kartingHobbies: Cinema, bowling, billiardsFavourite music: Italian, dance, rockFavourite foods: Pasta, pizza, meat
Race Career1988-1994 Karting, 35 wins, Italian regional champion
1995 CSAI Federal Driving School
1996 Italian F. Renault Campus Championship, Autosprint and Renault selection, classified 1st
1997 Italian F. Renault Campus Championship, 4th overall (1 win, 3 x 2nd, 2 poles)
1998 Italian Formula 3 Championship, Ravarotto, 11th overall
1999 Italian Formula 3 Championship, Ravarotto, 3rd overall (5 wins, 6 poles)Six Hours of Vallelunga, 1st classified ELF
2000 German Formula 3 Championship, Prema Power, 7th overall (1 win, 3 x 2nd, 2 x 3rd, 3 poles)Macau Grand Prix (F3), 5th overall Korean Grand Prix (F3), 10th overallGlobal Challenge, 4th overall, Top Rookie
2001 European Super Touring Car Championship, Conrero Alfa Romeo 156, 5 racesRussian Formula 3 Championship, Art Line, 3 racesFIA F3000 International Championship, Team Astromega, 4 races
2002 FIA F3000 International Championship, Coloni, 9th overall (1 win, 4 x 6th)
2003 FIA F3000 International Championship, Super Nova, 6th overall (1 win, 1 x 3rd, 2 x 5th)World Series by Nissan, 2 races
2004 FIA F3000 International Championship, Team BCN, 2nd overall (1 win, 3 x 2nd, 1 pole)
2005 World Series by Renault, Victory Engineering, 5 races (1 win, 3 poles)FIA Formula One World Championship, Test Driver, Minardi Cosworth (commencing GP of Turkey)
