The Minardi M01 was the car with which the Minardi Formula One team competed in the 1999 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Italian Luca Badoer, who had previously driven for the team in 1995, and Spaniard Marc Gené, with Frenchman Stéphane Sarrazin deputising for Badoer at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Minardi M01 was developed by Gustav Brunner, formerly of Scuderia Ferrari, and long time chief engineer Gabriele Tredozi. The M01 was a completely new design and featured no parts from any former Minardi cars.[2] The M01 was a pioneer of magnesium transmission casing use. The M01 utilised a Ford VJ series V10 engine, alongside electronics from Magneti Marelli.[3] The M01 had its first shakedown test at Mugello Circuit, Italy on 28 January, 1999. Luca Badoer was at the wheel, with the M01 sporting a carbon fibre livery. On 9 February, 1999 the Minardi M01 was officially unveiled at the headquarters of new sponsor Telefonica in Spain. It was at this event Marc Gene was confirmed as having a race seat for the season.[5] Gaston Mazzacane joined the team ahead of the launch, however by mid February it was confirmed that Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer would race alongside Gene for 1999.[6][7] Mazzacane would be the teams test driver for 1999.Testing continued in February at Mugello, with Badoer posting times around 1 second slower than Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine. The M01 kept its silver and blue colour scheme from the previous season. The signing of Gené brought along Spanish company Telefónica, which joined Fondmetal as the major sponsors.
