AUGUST 23, 2003

Baumgartner to replace Firman?

Ralph Firman's accident on Saturday morning could result in the British driver being unable to continue this weekend in Hungary and the team may decide to try to put a replacement driver in the car. The team ran Hungarian youngster Zsolt Baumgartner in the testing on Friday morning and he could take the drive but he does not have an FIA Superlicence to race in F1. This is not an insurmountable problem however as all that is needed is the agreement of the Permanent Bureau of the Formula 1 Commission, which consists of Max Mosley, Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and Ron Dennis. It is therefore possible that Baumgartner may appear in qualifying this afternoon.