Minardi gains sponsor

FAENZA, ITALY, March 17, 2001 - European Minardi F1 today welcomes GERICOM AG as its newest sponsor and technical partner. This marks the first-ever involvement in Formula One for the Austrian-headquartered company.

The company prides itself on developing products that incorporate the latest trends in technology and, as a result, has become known within the IT industry as an innovative market leader in the area of notebook., and web appliances. Reflecting that, GERICOM focuses on special promotional activities, and Formula One, with its global exposure and computer-driven, high-technology outlook, provides an ideal platform for the company to showcase its products and expertise.

"It is difficult to imagine a better fit than Formula One and GERICOM," comments Hermann Oberlehner, Founder and CEO of GERICOM AG. "Formula One is a high-profile, high-technology activity that represents the pinnacle of endeavour in motor racing. It demands clear minds, innovative thinking, and an understanding of how the latest developing technologies can be applied to gain an advantage over your rivals. We like to think these are exactly the same qualities that underpin GERICOM's whole approach to business.

"The company and its products are already well recognised in the market place, but we want them to be even better known. We believe that an involvement with the European Minardi team in the Formula One World Championship will help us to accomplish just that. This is a young team with collective ambition, skill and a will to succeed against its established rivals. It is a situation with which we at GERICOM identify closely, so we are very pleased to be involved."

For European Minardi F1 Chairman and Team Principal, Paul Stoddart, the partnership with GERICOM marks the renewing of a previously successful relationship. "We first came to know GERICOM for their sponsorship of the European Formula 3000 team in last year's championship and really appreciated their enthusiastic support for our efforts. We're extremely pleased they have now decided to join us in Formula One and, as with all our sponsors, we will be working hard to ensure they derive the maximum commercial benefit possible from their partnership with European Minardi Fl."

The GERICOM logo will feature on the barge boards and nose of the European Minardi PSOl chassis in all remaining rounds of the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship.

-Minardi