Robert Doornbos is looking forward to the IRL season-opening race of 2009 in St. Petersburg on Sunday. The Dutchman, who elected to join the series for the first time this year, is excited over the prospect of racing in America once again.
"I have been looking forward to driving for NHL Racing for a while now and it's exciting that it is finally time to start the season," the 27-year-old newcomer said. "My desire to get back to open wheel racing in the US was mega, it was really big. Even though I had a couple of opportunities to go back to Formula One as a test driver, I really wanted to race because I had such a good time in 2007. Obviously the success was nice as well, and really motivated me to be here and be able to fight for wins and championships in 2009."
He has already been on the pace in testing this year, coming out of Barber with the fastest time. "I am quite happy with the testing and preparation we have done to get ready for the season, because we have been quite competitive," he continued. "I've had a mix of both types of track with my oval debut being at Homestead, and was obviously quite happy to go to road courses at Sebring and Barber to work on our setups for the first two race weekends."
Robert, who in 2008 competed in the Superleague Formula in Europe, knows that elements of his driving style will have to change to be able to adapt quickly - especially for oval racing - but is thinking most about the one-lap dash to decide the starting order. "I'm really looking forward to the qualifying process," he said. "The single-lap flyers are something I am used to from racing in Europe - I have done them in Formula One, A1GP and in Superleague. It's a great thing for a driver, to try to get the most out of the car - and yourself - over one lap. It's a huge adrenaline rush, and having the Firestone alternate tyre will be good for the championship. I think it will mix it up as it did in Champ Car. In Formula One last weekend the tyre difference was quite big, so it shows that it can definitely add some spice to the championship."
By GP Update:
http://irl.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/04/01/doornbos-excited-ahead-of-irl-season-opener/
GPUpdate TV will cover the training and the race
RTL7 for Dutch TV will cover the race Sunday April 5 at 20.30
It's gone be a busy race day
Hans
"I have been looking forward to driving for NHL Racing for a while now and it's exciting that it is finally time to start the season," the 27-year-old newcomer said. "My desire to get back to open wheel racing in the US was mega, it was really big. Even though I had a couple of opportunities to go back to Formula One as a test driver, I really wanted to race because I had such a good time in 2007. Obviously the success was nice as well, and really motivated me to be here and be able to fight for wins and championships in 2009."
He has already been on the pace in testing this year, coming out of Barber with the fastest time. "I am quite happy with the testing and preparation we have done to get ready for the season, because we have been quite competitive," he continued. "I've had a mix of both types of track with my oval debut being at Homestead, and was obviously quite happy to go to road courses at Sebring and Barber to work on our setups for the first two race weekends."
Robert, who in 2008 competed in the Superleague Formula in Europe, knows that elements of his driving style will have to change to be able to adapt quickly - especially for oval racing - but is thinking most about the one-lap dash to decide the starting order. "I'm really looking forward to the qualifying process," he said. "The single-lap flyers are something I am used to from racing in Europe - I have done them in Formula One, A1GP and in Superleague. It's a great thing for a driver, to try to get the most out of the car - and yourself - over one lap. It's a huge adrenaline rush, and having the Firestone alternate tyre will be good for the championship. I think it will mix it up as it did in Champ Car. In Formula One last weekend the tyre difference was quite big, so it shows that it can definitely add some spice to the championship."
By GP Update:
http://irl.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/04/01/doornbos-excited-ahead-of-irl-season-opener/
GPUpdate TV will cover the training and the race
RTL7 for Dutch TV will cover the race Sunday April 5 at 20.30
It's gone be a busy race day
Hans