Doornbos speaks out

Jordan third driver, then Minardi race driver. Robert Doornbos might not have had the equipment to become a household name on the race tracks this year, but among the F1 cognoscenti, he made his mark. This year’s performance was enough to land him the job of Red Bull Racing’s test and Friday driver for 2006.

The Dutchman’s first official appearance for Red Bull Racing saw him step into the cockpit at the Barcelona test on 29th November and once he had completed his driving duties and de-briefed with the engineers, he faced the toughest test of the day.

Interview with Robert Doornbos

How did your deal with Red Bull Racing come about?
"In one way, you could say it started as far back as 2004, when I first had the Red Bull logo on my car and overalls, as I was racing for (Red Bull Racing boss) Christian Horner in F3000. I was struck by the high level of motivation, with the added bonus of having racing’s best disco dancer, Tonio Liuzzi as a team-mate! When the F1 team came about last year, naturally I was interested and kept in contact with Christian. I also noticed you had some pretty wild parties! I was focusing on my job with Jordan and then I made my race debut with Minardi. That is something I will never forget, but I was always conscious that I needed to move on to a higher ranked team. The talks moved up a gear at the Chinese GP, when Mr. Mateschitz said he had been following my progress and that he would like to give me a chance. In the end, the contract actually got signed here in the race truck at Barcelona. Wow! That’s a really Formula 1 way of doing things! So now you have to put up with me this year and hopefully even longer!"

What appeals to you about the team?
"This year, I was with a team that, because of its situation, was used to always being at the back of the grid, even if things improved when the new car arrived. In fact it was good fun fighting with Jordan, as it was like having a mini-Grand Prix between the two of us. But as a racing driver, I want to be fighting for more than that. I am used to being at the front and fighting for the win, rather than looking in my mirrors to see the blue flags all the time. But, here at Red Bull Racing I can see that the motivation is much higher. They’re thinking not only of points, but also of the first podium finish and possibly even a race win, so it’s great to be part of that and it’s great motivation for everyone. Here in Barcelona, I was speaking to the chef in the kitchen and even he is really switched on and looking forward to the season. Everyone’s looking ahead and it’s great to be part of it."

Were you nervous before driving for Red Bull Racing for the first time?
"Not really nervous, I didn’t sleep a lot but, that was more like getting excited about your first day at school. Then, when I arrived at the track it was too cold to run, so we were just waiting and waiting, but it was great fun when I finally got to drive."

Did driving this car feel very different to what you were used to this season?
"Yes, it felt like getting a totally new car. It’s like buying a new road car; you have all the new gadgets in there and it’s luxury compared to what I was used to. When I was in the factory in England I had already seen the difference between Red Bull Racing and Minardi. In Minardi there were 80 people and here there are about five times that many, so it’s a different world. It’s a very good feeling and I’m proud to be part of that. To drive out of the pit lane for the first time was a great feeling."

You mentioned Christian Horner, what's it like to be working with him again?
"Good! We had a lot of fun in F3000, although obviously it was a little more relaxed in that series. Already in F3000 he gained a lot of respect from me due to how he worked with his team. The Championship was very equal as the cars and tyres were the same for everyone, so we got good results because of the organised way he ran his team. For example, pit stops were introduced into the Championship and so we went to an airfield in the UK to practice pit stops until we got really sick of them, but it was just the way he was, pushing us and being really determined."

Where are you living at the moment?
"Mainly in Monte Carlo, but also in Italy as I’ve been training there. Being fit has done a lot for my career. But, I’ve felt like a nomad the last few months as I’ve been travelling so much, to Italy, Monte Carlo, to Holland and then to Barcelona."

Any plans to move glamourous Milton Keynes?
"I’ll be there a lot I’m sure! When I started racing in Formula Ford in 2000, I moved to Towcester near Milton Keynes, which is a bit different to what I’m used to – but I’ll be there a lot for sure. I want to get to know everyone in the factory."

What do you like to do when you're not at events?
"Read a quote of David Coulthard’s in a magazine where he said that when he was with McLaren he thought about Formula One 24 hours a day, but since he’s been with Red Bull Racing he’s actually been able to think about other things as well. But I think I’m still in the initial phase to be honest. It’s a year now since I’ve been in Formula One, and from waking up to going to bed, it’s in my mind all the time. I’ve arrived here six years after starting racing which shows how determined I am, so I do focus a lot of my time on the sport, but I realise it’s important to switch off sometimes too. That’s why I’m happy to have signed this deal already, so I can have a relaxed Christmas back home with my family."

Where will you be spending Christmas this year?
"Switzerland. I’ll be there skiing with the family. We have a party there for New Year too and have some good friends coming over from Holland for that."