Red Bull Racing announced today that Robert Doornbos will join the team for 2006. As the team’s test and reserve driver, the 24-year-old will fulfil Friday driving duties for Red Bull Racing during the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Doornbos is not new to Red Bull. In 2004 the young Dutchman drove alongside Tonio Liuzzi as part of Christian Horner’s Arden team and participated in the F3000 International Championship in a Red Bull branded car. Taking victory in Spa and finishing third overall in his debut season, Robert was crowned ‘Rookie of the Year’, before rounding off 2004 by fulfilling test driver duties for the Jordan Formula one team at the last three races.
After a promising season in 2005, where he performed as third driver for Jordan-Midland and as a race driver for Minardi-Cosworth (for the last eight races of the year), Robert will join Red Bull Racing for 2006.
Sporting Director Christian Horner said, “Having served his apprenticeship in Formula 1 this year, Robert will perform an important role for Red Bull Racing as its third driver. 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 are they the team of the moment, but the way that they’re 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.”
Robert’s first experience in a Cosworth-powered RB1 will occur today, when he participates in the first day of the team’s three-day test in Barcelona. Christian Klein will drive the team’s second car. On Wednesday, Christian and David Coulthard will drive for the team, while Robert and David will complete the test on Thursday.
Following Red Bull’s purchase of Minardi earlier this year, Scott Speed will now join Red Bull’s newest team, Scuderia Toro Rosso. His exact role in the team will be confirmed in the near future.
Robert announced this nes to his fans with the following message on his website:
“I’m happy with the wings Red Bull gave me this morning. This week I’ll use them allready here at Barcelona. I’ll keep you posted! “
