Doornbos Delighted with Performance

Formula One Rookie Robert Doornbos was delighted after making it to the end of the Turkish Grand Prix

The Minardi driver, in only his third Grand Prix, came home in 13th position three laps down, but had reason to celebrate after beating both the Jordans of Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro.

"What a race," said Doornbos. "I really had a lot of fun and I finished it quite easily.

"I'm also happy with my physical shape at the end of what was a tough Grand Prix.  The car actually got better as the race progressed and I think we could have continued, as the tyres were still in good shape. 

"I had a great start for the first time, and dived inside Villeneuve, which was fun.  After that, I was able to keep up a strong pace, and to have raced the Jordans and finished in front of them, what can I say?  I'm a happy chappy."

Doornbos' teammate Christijan Albers was not so lucky and endured a day full of problems, ranging from a fuel rig failure to gear selection difficulties. The Dutchman finished 10 laps down after spending a lot of time in the pits.

"I think we had a reasonable qualifying, especially as we had a lot of fuel in the car and chose the hard tyre," said Albers. "It was shame, though, that we had problems in the race, and also encountered difficulties with the refuelling rigs. 

"It's really disappointing to have these problems when the car is obviously becoming more competitive, but I think it was the right decision to stay out for as long as we could in the race in order to achieve the best possible qualifying slot for the next Grand Prix."   

shares
comments

BAR Happy after 'Best Race of Year'

Webber Critical of Schumacher's Driving

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

How football has posed difficult questions for F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Subscribe