Doornbos close to third driver role deal

The Dutchman, who was Jordan's third driver and then raced for Minardi last season, is set to join the Red Bull team, according to Autosport magazine.

Although Doornbos refused to name the team he is dealing with, he admitted it would be a big step up from him.

"Definitely a top team and it is big step up," Doornbos told autosport.com. "It will be a Friday driver and full testing. Experience is everything in Formula One and I've been in F1 for a couple of years now and I've been testing with Midland and Jordan before Minardi.

"I'm a totally different driver already. You need to know a lot about the software as well. With a top team there is more to learn. Fingers crossed we'll be able to make a nice announcement soon.

"It is not going to be a race deal. It may be in the future, but I'm still young so maybe we use the age to try and test one year in the background and then race in 2007. If you look at Fernando and what he did, if you are still young you can still race later.

"I've learned my lesson in Formula One and until the ink is dry on the paper I can't tell you who it is with."

Doornbos, however, said the deal would be announced shorty "because we are starting to test soon. Time is precious here."