7/3/99
AUSTRALIA -
Marc Gene is allowed to start the Australian Grand Prix, despite not quite making the 107% time. The stewards ruled that due to exceptional circumstances that hampered the Spaniard's efforts, he could compete in the race. However, the rookie driver experienced a coming together with former Minardi driver Jarno Trulli on lap 25 and was forced to retire. Luca Badoer was having a strong race and once looked like scoring points. At half distance he was in 5th place, before dropping to 8th after a pit stop. He retired with gearbox failure, with just 15 laps to go, but was pleased with the race and general speed of the Minardi car.

19/2/99
Luca Badoer continued testing at Mugello and improved his time, during the 61 lap run. Best lap time was a 1:28:813.

18/2/99
Ferrari and Minardi continued testing at Mugello today :
 
Schumacher Ferrari 1:26.704
Irvine Ferrari 1:28.401
Badoer Minardi 1:29.467
Gene Minardi 1:30.580
 
18/2/99
Italian Luca Badoer will drive for Minardi in 1999. The driver who also raced for Minardi in 1995, is Ferrari's tester and he is obliged to return to Ferrari if they need him to debutise for Schumacher or Irvine.

10/2/99
Minardi made a major breakthrough today in testing at Barcelona. Rookie Marc Gene set a best time of 1:22.797. The time was the fourth fastest of all 15 runners in Spain, and only 8 tenths slower than fastest man Hakkinen. The car also ran reliably throughout the full race distance test. Here is a photo of Gene behind the wheel during testing.

9/2/99
Marc Gene takes to the track again today, and posts a fastest time of 1:26.389.

8/2/99
The new M01 makes its first public track appearence in Barcelona. Marc Gene completed 30 laps of the track in order to discover the cars characteristics. Best time, 1:27.326. Testing continues over the next two days.

7/2/99
Minardi unveil their 1999 challenger, the M01 in Barcelona. The team also announce the Telefonica sponsorship deal.
(pictures and technical specs available from the main page)

4/2/99
Marc Gene is signed as one of the race drivers for Team Minardi in 1999. Gaston Mazzacane is confirmed as test driver.

28/1/99
The new Minardi car is put through its paces at Fiorano track by Ferrari tester, Luca Badoer. All senior members of the team were present. The test, which was conducted in private, served only as an initial shakedown. 1