Robert practises starts ahead of Spanish GP

MONTMELO – In the Free Practises ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this Sunday, Robert Doornbos again proved his value as Jordan Grand Prix’ test- and reserve driver by succesfully working his way through a busy programme. By setting a fastest laptime of 1:19.125 at the 4,627 kilometer long circuit near Barcelona, Doornbos also positioned himself amidst his two teammates in a fine 18th position.

In the first Free Practise session between 11:00 and 12:00 hours, Robert covered 23 laps in total in his EJ-15, in which he mainly focussed on the behaviour of his Bridgestone tyres. As at some parts the track were resurfaced and the new asphalt is quite abrasive, Doornbos simulated several long stints this morning. Though, in contradistinction with his teammates, this was only Robert's first acquaintance with the Circuito de Catalunya, the 23-year old Dutchman (1:20.912) still knew to stay well ahead of the team’s racing drivers Monteiro and Karthikeyan untill two minutes before the end of the session.

When, under sunny circumstances, the lights went green at 14:00 hours to mark the start of the second session, Robert was again one of the first drivers to choose the tarmac for three runs of eight laps each. As the Catalan circuit has the longest start/finish straight of all 19 tracks on the 2005 calender, the 2004 FIA International F3000 ‘Rookie of the Year’ practised many starts this afternoon with adjusted gearratios in order to prepare the team as good as possible for Sunday’s GP start. On used tyres, Doornbos set a personal best laptime of 1:19.125 (P18) at the end of the session, positioning him amidst Karthikeyan and Monteiro.

ROBERT DOORNBOS: “Today was ‘a good day at the office’. Though I only drive the car once in a fortnight, I still was able to equal and even surpass the pace of my teammates in Free Practise 01. In order to decide wich type of tyres suites this event best, I drove several long stints. In the afternoon session, I could put down both fast and consistent laptimes on used tyres, which is very positive. The starts I practised at the pitlane exit also went very well, so compliments for Bridgestone and the entire team for doing a good job once again!”

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