Doornbos in, Friesacher out

Today the Minardi Team announced today that Robert Doornbos will join his countryman, Christijan Albers, in the Minardi driver line-up with immediate effect. Doornbos was the Friday test driver at Jordan this season and now takes the seat of Patrick Friesacher at Minardi.

The Minardi Team Principal said: "We are pleased to welcome Robert to Minardi, he has demonstrated clearly over the last year that he has the pace necessary to compete in Formula One, and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to make his World Championship debut at this weekend's German Grand Prix. I believe he is going to do an excellent job over the coming races, and I'm sure the Minardi team can expect even more enthusiastic support from the Netherlands, if that's possible, as we now have the first, all-Dutch driver line-up."

About Friesacher he said: "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick sincerely for his efforts on behalf of the team, and although commercial considerations mean we have had to bring our relationship with him to an end, this decision should in no way be taken as a reflection on his skill or ability as a driver. We continue to rate him very highly, and wish him all the best for the future."

Patrick Friesacher's sponsors had problems paying the bills and so the Minardi team had to make a difficult decision about Friesacher's position. Patrick himself said: "Of course it's unfortunate that I can't race, but I understand Minardi's situation. I would like to thank the Minardi team for the wonderful time I had with them. I will try with my manager to come back in Formula One this season, but if that doesn't work out we will work hard to come back in 2006."