BFREN: Long named Driver Search finalist

Patrick Long selected as finalist for Red Bull American F1 program.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., September 27, 2002 - With this weekend's U.S. Grand Prix as a backdrop, American Patrick Long was selected Thursday as a finalist for Red Bull's high-profile program to return an American driver to Formula One, the world's most prestigious form of motorsport. The last Yank to race in F1 was Michael Andretti in 1993.

The brainchild of Danny Sullivan, the 1985 Indy 500 winner and 1983 F1 driver, the Red Bull American F1 Program selected 15 young American drivers to participate in a shootout at the Paul Richard circuit in France. A panel of judges, including Sullivan, Skip Barber, and former F1 driver Gerhard Berger, will chose four to run the 2003 season with Red Bull backing.

A native of Southern California, Long, 21, has been competing in Europe since age 15 when he packed his bags and moved to Italy to drive for a factory go-kart team. The next season he moved up to Formula Renault Campus series (1999), then British Formula Ford (2000-01).

Long placed second overall in the 2001 British Formula Ford championship, winning three races and earneing two poles; he lost the title on the last corner of the final race. It was the highest placing ever for an American. That same year, he also won a Euro Cup FF race at Spa Belgium plus two heats in the Formula Ford Festival.

Last season (2002), Long stepped up to British Formula Renault. There, he scored three podium finishes, including one wire-to-wire victory from pole at Snetterton.

Long is completely at ease with European culture, having lived in Italy, France and England. He speaks Italian and French. With his record of international racing success and the focus and determination to succeed, Long looks forward to earning the support of Red Bull and becoming the next American in Formula One.

For more information on Patrick Long, visit his website at: www.patricklong.com. For background on British Formula Renault, log on to www.renaultmotorsports.co.uk or www.single-seaters.co.uk

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