The F1 Career Story [1999-2024]

Minardi are making headlines! The modest Italian Formula 1 outfit are cause for great controversy as they are entering the 1999 season with two rookies. One is 1998 Formula Nissan champion Marc Gené (24) from Spain, but the focal point of attention and upheaval is the very young Dutch-Polish rookie Daniel Marzec (17).

Marzec will drive with a Polish racing license, which will make him the first citizen of Poland to enter a Formula 1 race when the season will kick off in March with the Melbourne Grand Prix in Australia. He is a pupil of and managed by the flamboyant Flavio Briatore, the former team boss of the Benetton team and currently distributor of rechristened Renault power units, now known as Supertec.

And it was Briatore, who opted the idea to give the vacant Minardi-seat to his young talent: "If it draws attention, it draws sponsors and money and that's exactly what they need at Minardi." Briatore once rescued Minardi from bankrupcy by buying a minority stake in the team. Later he sold his share to founder of Fondmetal Gabriele Rumi. "But I'm close to all matters that involve Italy and F1, whether it's Benetton, Ferrari or Minardi. And I think that's why young talent like to have me as manager. Because if I see true talent in them, I can fix them a seat. Like Danny Marzec, whom I think has the potential to become the next hot thing in Formula 1."

Marzec became racing driver by accident: "I was on holiday in Italy and participated in a go kart race in 1995. I immediately finished second and I was told that it really mattered, because Italy is currently by far the strongest nation in go karting." In 1996, he did a full season in karting. From there, Marzec advanced to Italian Formula 3. There, he was picked up by Flavio Briatore who offered to become his manager. "I said to Danny, I want to get you in Formula 1 before the end of the century", Briatore says, "so I thought, how can I do that? I talked to Minardi and Bruni and told them: you need this guy because not only is he good enough, but he will create attention for you and that attracts sponsors, money and that might lead to better results again." Minardi's last point score to date was over three years ago in the 1995 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.

That is immediately Marzec' ambition for his rookie season. "Scoring a point would be great, for myself and for the team! So, that is the goal." Marzec will have a brand new designed M01 chassis at his disposal designed by Gustav Brunner (formerly of Arrows and Ferrari, Zakspeed and Leyton House) and George Ryton (ex-Tyrrell, ex-Ferrari, ex-Ligier/Prost). As a power unit, Minardi will use the Ford Zetec-R VJM engine, originally used by Sauber for the 1996 season and Stewart during the 1997 season. The engine is known for its reliability but also its lack of speed. Minardi hopes to compensate for that, through its pioneering lightweight magnesium casing. Therefore, Minardi hopes to have a fighting chance for points on tracks where it's more about grip than speed. As with previous seasons, a finishing position in the Top 6 is requied to score points.