Patrick Friesacher

Patrick Friesacher (b. September 20, 1980) is an Austrian Formula One driver who drove for the Minardi team during the first half of the 2005 season.

Related Topics:
September 20 - 1980 - Austrian - Formula One - Minardi - 2005 season

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Born in Wolfsberg, Friesacher began Kart racing at an early age. In 1998, he moved to the French Formula Campus series, finishing third in the season. In 1999, Friesacher advanced to the French Formula 3 'B' class, before moving to the German Formula 3 series in 2000.

Related Topics:
Wolfsberg - Kart racing - 1998 - French - 1999 - Formula 3 - German - 2000

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In 2001, Friesacher jumped to Formula 3000, where he scored three top-six finishes for the Red Bull Junior team. He stayed with Red Bull throughout 2002 and 2003, winning a race at the Hungaroring. Later that year, he joined the Super Nova squad; in 2004, he won another race (again in Hungary), this time for the Coloni team.

Related Topics:
2001 - Formula 3000 - Red Bull Junior team - 2002 - 2003 - Hungaroring - 2004 - Hungary - Coloni

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In November 2004, Friesacher tested for Minardi at the Misano Adriatico circuit in Italy, impressing team principle Paul Stoddart. On February 14, 2005, he signed a one-year deal to teammate with Christijan Albers, his fellow competitor on the Formula 3000 circuit. In the 2005 United States Grand Prix he picked up 3 Formula One Championship points despite finishing last; this is because he came 6th out of the 6 drivers who competed as 7 teams pulled out for tyre safety reasons.

Related Topics:
November - Italy - Paul Stoddart - February 14 - 2005 - Signed - Christijan Albers - 2005 United States Grand Prix - Formula One Championship

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On July 19th, 2005 it was announced that Friesacher had been dropped from the Minardi team due to the failure of his personal sponsors to pay Minardi the amounts agreed at the start of the season. (It is common for poorer F1 teams to employ "pay" drivers who contribute financially to the team via personal sponsorships.) Friesacher has been replaced in the Minardi lineup by Robert Doornbos.

Related Topics:
July 19th - Robert Doornbos

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