Doornbos Signs for Red Bull Racing

Robert Doornbos
By Ian Lockwood
November 29 2005

Red Bull have caused something of a surprise by signing Dutchman, Robert Doornbos, to be the Friday & test driver for Red Bull Racing. Doornbos effectively replaces 'Tonio Liuzzi who now seems set for a drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Dorrnbos, 24, will become Red Bull Racing's test and reserve driver. Doornbos is no stranger to the Red Bull Family. In 2004 he raced alongside 'Tonio Liuzzi in Christian Horner's Red Bull sponsored F3000 team, Arden. He won Spa, and finished 3rd in Championship in his rookie season, earning the "Rookie of the Year" award. In 2005 Robert was initially 3rd driver for Jordan, before moving up to a race drive with Minardi for the final 8 races of the year.

Having served his apprenticeship in Formula 1 this year, Robert will perform an important role for Red Bull Racing as its third driver," Horner, sporting director of Red Bull Racing commented. "Robert demonstrated natural speed and a very real hunger to win when I worked with him in 2004 and I'm very happy to renew our working relationship. This is an excellent opportunity for him." 

Robert Doornbos said, "It's fantastic to be joining Red Bull Racing. Not only is it the team of the moment, but the way that it's developing the technical side of things, and the motivation of the team, is very promising for the future. I'm aiming to learn as much as possible to get to the top of the sport and I think I'm in the right place to be able to do that." 

Assuming Christain Klien retains his race seat at Red Bull Racing alongside DC, 'Tonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed must be favourites for the race seats and Scuderia Toro Rosso. This leaves Neel Jani who had been confirmed as a Red Bull F1 driver in October, needing STR to decide to run a Friday car.