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Picture:www.insightf1.com |
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At the
AUTOSPORT International Motor show - at the NEC in Birmingham - today
2003 FIA F3000 champion team Arden has revealed his plans for the
next season and "Doornbos" has been named. Robert Doornbos,
arguably Dutch's most successful open-wheeler driver, in fact, has
signed with defending International FIA F3000 champion Team Arden
Motorsport. Doornbos completes Arden's line-up by joining Italian
Vitantonio Liuzzi, fourth classified in 2003 FIA F3000 season.
Robert has committed to a 2 year agreement with the Team and is a
graduate from the F3 Euro Series where he was a front runner and recently
finished second in his final F3 race at the Korean Grand Prix.
"I
am delighted that we have secured the services of Vitantonio and
Robert with our goals clearly being to retain both Championships."
Arden boss Christian Horner said "Vitantonio clearly demonstrated
his championship potential during the 2003 season and was very impressive
when he tested with us at both Estorill and Monza and Robert demonstrated
a considerable speed during his F3 career and was immediately quick
when he tested with us at Jerez in November and I am sure that he
will quickly adapt to F3000. F3000 look set to have another competitive
and with a recent introduction of mandatory pit stop, I am sure
the races will be extremely exciting".
"My
ambition in motorsports has always been to someday compete in the
highest series," said Doornbos. "Only a few years ago
my focus was directed on my career as a tennis player; then I felt
in love with F1 when I saw a F1 car at Spa for the first time. Then
I thought - Well Robert: you should have to try in motor racing,
and … I'm here now. It doesn't happen overnight: it takes time
to develop the skills and to gain the needed experience. I think
that my racing career to date has helped to position me in the right
place at the right time to take the next step forward. Team Arden
and the FIA International F3000 championship are world-class. I
had a very encouraging test with them on November and I was able
to sign the fastest lap time of the day and I had a very high impression
of their professional skills and competence." "My goal,"
continues the - BOSS - "is to represent my country in the FIA
F3000 championship, the closest series to F1" "This is
a really big opportunity for me which I fully intend to make the
most of. 2004 will be a learning year but I hope to learn as quickly
as possible and I can't wait for testing to begin in February."
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Picture:www.insightf1.com |
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Doornbos
finished the highly competitive F3 Euro Series championship in top
ten position (9th overall on more than 30 drivers) last season -year
2003- and achieved further encouraging results in the Korean Super
Prix ending his season back on podium in a best 2nd position overall,
after having suffered mechanical misfortune in Macau Grand Prix
while he was racing in 3rd position. Before flying to Macau and
Korea, Robert tested a F3000 - Lola B02/50. Last 6th November "Boss"
tested the 560 hp-F3000 single-seater of 2003 Champion Team Arden
Motorsport and hit the pace topping the leader board with a lap
time of 1:32.33 ahead of fellow F3000 debutant Nico Rosberg who
was testing for Coloni (1:32.57). This performance, at his debut
on a F3000 car, impressed Team Arden's staff and other opinion leaders
coming from different racing series.
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