DECEMBER 8, 2002
Albers signs for Minardi!
Despite a lot of misplaced excitement about Jos Verstappen's return to Formula 1 we hear from Germany that his fellow Dutchman Christjian Albers visited Stuttgart earlier this week to tell Mercedes-Benz racing chief Norbert Haug that he will not be racing for the company in the German Touring Car Championship next year.
Albers has had close links with Minardi for the last couple of years having first driven for Paul Stoddart as Mark Webber's team mate in Formula 3000 in 2000. Since then he has been a regular test and demonstration driver for the team and so has acquired a considerable amount of mileage in F1 machinery.
It is understood that the Dutchman has found sponsorship in the region of $5m to secure the drive.