FAENZA, ITALY, July 19, 2005
The Minardi F1 Team today announces that
Dutchman, Robert Doornbos, is to join countryman, Christijan Albers, in the
Faenza squad’s driver line-up with immediate effect. Doornbos, who has
fulfilled the role of Friday test driver at Jordan this season, thus steps
up to a full race seat at Minardi, replacing Patrick Friesacher.
“We are pleased to welcome Robert to Minardi,” comments Team Principal, Paul
Stoddart. “He has demonstrated clearly over the last year that he has the
pace necessary to compete in Formula One, and we are pleased to give him the
opportunity to make his World Championship debut at this weekend’s German
Grand Prix. I believe he is going to do an excellent job over the coming
races, and I’m sure the Minardi team can expect even more enthusiastic
support from the Netherlands, if that’s possible, as we now have the first,
all-Dutch driver line-up.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick sincerely for
his efforts on behalf of the team, and although commercial considerations
mean we have had to bring our relationship with him to an end, this decision
should in no way be taken as a reflection on his skill or ability as a
driver. We continue to rate him very highly, and wish him all the best for
the future.”
ROBERT DOORNBOS – Personal Details
Date of birth September 23, 1981
Born Rotterdam, Netherlands
Lives Monte Carlo, Monaco
Marital status Single
Height 1.82 m
Weight 74 kg
Race Career
1999 Opel Lotus UK Winter Series, Team JR Racing, Series runner-up (4 poles,
4 wins, 4 fastest
laps)
2000 Formula Ford Zetec, Benelux Championship, Speedlover, 5th overall
Formula Ford, Belgian Championship. 2nd overall (6 podiums, 1 pole, 3
fastest laps)
2001 Brtish Formula 3 Championship Scholarship drive, FGR Racing, 5th
overall (2 poles, 2 wins, 9
podiums, including 2nd place British Grand Prix F3 support race)
2002 German Formula 3 Championship, Team Ghinzani (4 podiums)
Formula 3, Macau Grand Prix, 6th place
2003 European Formula 3 Championship, Team Ghinzani (7 podiums)
F3 Masters, Spa (1 pole)
F3, Korean Grand Prix, 2nd place
2004 FIA F3000 International Championship, Arden, 3rd overall (1 win at Spa,
3 other podiums)
FIA Formula One World Championship, Test Driver, Jordan Ford (final three
GPs)
2005 FIA Formula One World Championship, Test Driver, Jordan Toyota; Race
Driver, Minardi Cosworth (commencing German Grand Prix)
