24/09/2008
NEWS STORY
On his 27th birthday Robert Doornbos made his debut as Team Netherlands driver at the Snetterton circuit. During the A1GP test at the Norfolk track Doornbos put his very first laps with the new car under his belt.
Doornbos was pleased with his first outing in the 600 php car, on the track which he last visited in 2001 with the British F3 Championship. He did a total of 31 laps in which he also got the chance to try the Powerboost system.
Robert Doornbos: "I think that we had a good and productive day. My first run was somewhat different, I went out on track on slicks and at that exact moment it started raining. Fortunately the track dried quickly, giving me the chance to do at least 20 laps in the dry during the afternoon. Because of the low weight and the amount of downforce this car quite resembles a Formula 1 car. I do have to improve my driving position in this car before the China race, I think this might have cost me a few tenths today. After the Zandvoort race I will go to Silverstone to get a new seat fitted."
Apart from Doornbos Jeroen Bleekemolen also went out on track during the test today, his final preparations for the opening round at Zandvoort. Other cars that were present today were the New Zealand, Italy and A1GP test car. The other teams have got a final two day test planned at Snetterton next week, just before the race at Zandvoort.
"The car went very well today," added Jeroen. "I was able to do 29 laps in the afternoon. Robert had already done his laps earlier. It all went well, we were quickest all day. I drove without the powerboost and on used tyres and was not able to go at the limit, also because our gear ratios were not perfect for this track. Robert did 54.8 and I did a '54.9, Italy a '55.8. It is certainly looking good for Zandvoort from our perspective," says Jeroen.