APRIL 20, 2001

Gene chauffeurs Catalan minister after improvement to F1 circuit

SPANIARD Marc Gene took time out from his testing duties with Williams on Friday to chauffeur Catalan Culture Minister Jordi Vilajoana around the Circuit de Catalunya to see the new scoreboard that will be on view at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 36-meter high attraction is one of a number of improvements made to the circuit ahead of the Barcelona race with a new grandstand overlooking the track.

The Circuit de Catalunya has sold more than 45,000 tickets for the race, but they are anticipating a crowd of 70,000 to attend and Vilajoana predicted that Gene could become the next Spaniard on the F1 grid.

Vilajoana said: "Next year we could have three catalan drivers in the World Championship and it is unusual for such a small country. But we are working towards it."