In the 2003 F1 season optional Friday testing at Grand Prix events was introduced in exchange for fewer miles on stand-alone test days. This was intended to give smaller teams a cheaper alternative to these test days, which were to be banned in 2004. Three constructors (Renault, Jordan and Minardi) entered free-practice-only drivers over the course of the 2003 season. Minardi selected Matteo Bobbi to test in San Marino GP and Gianmaria Bruni for four final events of the season. Bruni begun single-seater racing at 16 in the Italian Formula Renault Campus in 1997; he won the Title in 1998. For the following season he moved on to the European Formula Renault Eurocup 2.0, taking another title. Then he entered the British Formula 3, where he came fifth in 2000 and fourth in 2001. After he had raced in various similar European series like the Euro Formula 3000, finishing third in 2003, he caught the attention of Minardi. In 2004 he joined Minardi Grand Prix rostrum. Bruni was one of only two drivers to contest the majority of the season without scoring any points. After his short romance with F1 Bruni competed in GP2 (in 2005-2006) and then moved to endurance racing, including European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
| Season | Series | Event |
| 2003 | F1WC | Free Practice |
| Driver | No. | Entrant |
| Gianmaria Bruni | 39 | Trust Minardi Cosworth |
| Scale | Manufacturer | Collection |
| 1:43 | Minichamps | |
| Cat. No. | Quality | Rarity |
| 400030139 | 
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