Super Nova Racing has confirmed the drivers who will compete for them in the 2004 FIA International Formula 3000 Championship.  They are 23-year-old Patrick Friesacher and 24-year old South African Alan van der Merwe.

Austrian Patrick who finished fifth in last years Championship despite missing some races through a broken arm is hopeful of clinching the title this year: -"I am really happy and satisfied that I have signed with such a great team.  In the last ten years Super Nova have been very successful and hopefully we can go for the Championship title this year."

Alan will have his debut season in the series after winning the British Formula Three Championship last year: - "I'm obviously very excited and relieved that the deal has been put together.  I realise I have got quite a few hills to climb as I have missed a bit of testing but I am excited and looking forward to it as I think this is the best opportunity available to me at the moment."

Team Principal David Sears is looking forward to the forthcoming season: - "After the longest winter in the history of Super Nova Racing we have finally completed terms with Patrick Friesacher and Alan van der Merwe which we feel will be a much stronger line up than we had last year in order to put Super Nova back at the top of the Championship again.  Patrick Friesacher has had some bad luck in particular the last couple of years and we intend to put him back where he belongs on the rostrum.  Alan van der Merwe had a really successful 2003 by taking the British Formula Three title.  We have been trying to put deals together with Formula Three champions in the past and I am pleased that this has finally happened.  We are really looking forward to working with Alan as he is the new bright star in the Championship."

The team are due to test their new drivers at the official FIA Barcelona test this week in preparation for the first race of the season that begins at Imola on 24th April.