What does a F1 driver do in winter?
What does a Formula One driver do in the winter months when there are no pre-season test sessions and team presentations yet? We asked Robert Doornbos, Red Bull Racing driver and hedonist, in his hometown Rotterdam…
“The Red Bull end-of-season party in the Murumbu stadion that evening, haha! No, in my inlap I realized what a great season I just had, with my three races for RBR as the ultimate highlight in it. I outpaced my team mate DC in two out of the three events, so I thanked the team for their hard work. It was not easy being competitive in the RB2 at the end of the year, as the team was already focussing on 2007. But minutes after I parked my car in the parc ferme, my thoughts returned to our party later that day.”
And did you pack your bags to enjoy a well-deserved holiday on Monday morning?“No, not immediately. But as me and my colleagues sort of live out of our luggage during the season, we don’t have to pack it anymore. Sometimes I refer to my RBR travelling bag as my ‘mobile home’, haha! After Brazil I took a flight to Savannah (USA) together with my sponsor Harry Muermans as his son was about to make his Formula Atlantic debut in a private test. The FA is the stepping-stone to the Champcars. Despite I didn’t drive myself I was able to give Dominick good advice as I watched him doing his thing in each corner. I have to admit Dom is not afraid to find, and sometimes exceed, the limits of his car!”
And afterwards, you travelled back to Europe?“Yes, back to my hometown Rotterdam. I visited a lot of friends and family, as I didn’t see them for a while. But after only five days my next flight was already scheduled, but to this one I was really looking forward to: enjoying a holiday together with my girlfriend at the Maledives.”
Sounds good! I assume it was much warmer there than it was here in The Netherlands?“Yes, you bet so! Jenson, DC, Fisichella and Heidfeld all told me many nice stories about the Maledives, so I was eager to go there. And indeed, I had a great time out there! I cannot sit still or just relax on the beach, I’m always looking for action-packed adventures. So in these weeks, I enjoyed wakeboarding, swimming, diving, running on the beach and a lot of other things each day. My girlfriend Machteld must have gone crazy sometimes! But now, I’m fully ready for next year!”
Good to mention it yourself! What are your plans for 2007?“As I’ve said before, we’re very busy with that, and I’m determined to stay in the Red Bull family next year. My fans don’t have to worry, as I won’t either! Just be a bit more patient!”
And until that time?“I’ve started training quite intensive again in the David Lloyd’s gym in Rotterdam, it keeps me off the streets, haha! But of course I also find time to relax with my friends in the weekends. Most probably I’ll be returning to my hectic life in short notice, so on from that moment my life will be on the ‘limiter’ again…”
