About Nicolas Minassian
Nicolas Minassian (Armenian: Նիքոլա Մինասեան; born 28 February 1973) is a French professional racing driver of Armenian descent. After finishing second place in the 1993 Formula Renault Eurocup, Marseille-born Minassian graduated to the French Formula Three Championship where he finished runner-up to countryman Laurent Redon at his second attempt in 1995. He then moved to the British series for another two years in a successful partnership with Promatecme and Renault UK that yielded a fourth place in 1996 and second place the following year. Minassian graduated to Formula 3000 with West Competition for 1998, but failed to impress whilst his teammate Nick Heidfeld mounted a strong challenge for overall honours. The following year, he moved to Kid Jensen Racing where he enjoyed more success, including an emphatic lights-to-flag triumph at Silverstone. He signed for the illustrious Super Nova Racing team in 2000 where he came a strong second in the championship. Unable to secure a Formula One drive despite promising tests for Williams and BAR Honda, Minassian moved to CART in 2001 for Target Chip Ganassi Racing with F3000 title adversary Bruno Junqueira and competed in the Indianapolis 500 before being released. In 2002, Minassian won the ASCAR oval racing series for RML Group before returning to endurance racing for such teams as Creation Autosportif and Pescarolo Sport. In 2007, Minassian became a factory driver for the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP diesel LMP1 in the Le Mans Series. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the brand until 2011, scoring two overall podiums and a fastest lap. After Peugeot's programme ended, Minassian raced in the FIA WEC's LMP2 class for the AF Corse–run PeCom and SMP Racing teams. In 2013, Minassian was named by Autosport as one of the top 50 drivers who never raced in Formula One. In 2002, Minassian won the ASCAR Racing Series oval racing series for RML Group before returning to endurance racing including the 24 Hours of Le Mans for such teams as Creation Autosportif and Pescarolo Sport. In 2007, Minassian became a factory driver for the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP diesel Le Mans prototype in the European Le Mans Series.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.