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: “I can’t hardly wait to get started on Friday. This is the chance I’ve hoped for and where both me and my management have worked very hard for. I feel topfit and ready to make this next step in my carreer. By racing I can gain more experience, which will make me of larger value when I grid up in 2006. This year Jordan/Midland could not yet hand me the opportunity to race for them. Minardi now does. I’m very eager to translate my ambitions into action!”

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)

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