Grapevine: Minardi Duo to Run F1 in Rotterdam

The event is expected by organisers to draw up to 500,000 fans, with the centrepiece of the day's activities being demonstration runs by Albers and Doornbos in a Minardi around a 3.4-km track laid out on the streets of the Dutch city.

"Wherever possible, Minardi is pleased to support programmes that help to bring Formula One closer to the fans, as demonstrated by our participation during the last year in the highly successful London and Melbourne street events," says team boss Paul Stoddart.

"We therefore had no hesitation in agreeing to take part in Monaco aan de Maas, particularly as Rotterdam is currently enjoying its role as European Capital of Sports for 2005.

"This should be a great event, and with our all-Dutch line-up of Christijan Albers and Robert Doornbos, we expect large numbers of the country's Formula One fans to turn out and see their heroes in action.

"This special appearance by the Minardi F1 Team and its drivers is also an appropriate way for us to thank our many Dutch sponsors for their enthusiastic support this season. We're definitely looking forward to bringing the sights and sounds of Formula One to the streets of Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon."