Minardi door shuts on Narain Karthikeyan

Hungarian driver Zsolt Baumgartner will drive with the European Minardi Cosworth team in the 2004 World Formula One championship, the company said today. Baumgartner will join Italian driver Gianmaria ‘Gimmi’ Bruni in Minardi’s lineup. Both drivers will be racing their first full season in Formula One.

The decision effectively means the end of Indian Narain Karthikeyan’s hopes of making it to the Formula One in the upcoming season.

In a statement, Paul Stoddart said the team hopes to nurture Baumgartner’s ‘‘considerable ability’’. Baumgartner raced twice for Jordan-Ford this year as a substitute for the injured Ralph Firman.

‘‘For me, Christmas has arrived early,’’ the 22-year-old driver said. ‘‘The two races I did this past season made me more determined than ever that I wanted to be in Formula One. I have now realised that dream.” Baumgartner said.