Postcard from Montreal

MONTREAL – Having just arrived in Montreal, Canada, Robert Doornbos is already pretty busy doing a lot of PR activities for Jordan Grand Prix. As the Canadian GP marks the homerace of teamowner Alex Shnaider, Robert will be extra busy in the upcoming days. But as always, Robert found some time to talk you by about the last two weeks and his plans for the next few weeks!

INSIGHTF1: HOW IS LIFE UNDER THE CANADIAN SUN?
Robert: “Pretty good, well at least for now! At the moment I enjoy the nice atmosphere and weather here in Montreal, but the forecast is that the clouds will take over this week and we even may expect some rain this weekend. On Monday I’ve arrived here, and today (Tuesday) I’ve started with my PR programme. As this is Mr. Shnaider’s homerace I’ll be quite busy in the next few days.”

INSIGHTF1: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UPTO THE LAST TWO WEEKS?
Robert: “Pushed hard for 2006! After qualifying at the Nürburgring, I drove back to The Netherlands to be SBS6’ studioguest for their F1 live broadcast. From Monday up to Wednesday we’ve been pretty busy with things as we focus ourselves already on 2006. Next to that I’ve also done some photoshoots and interviews for national media as I’ve trained around Rotterdam’s largest centre-based lake, named the ‘Kralingse Plas’. Thursday I took a flight back to Viareggio, Italy, to spend a few days at the Formula Medicine gym. Than I’ve packed my bags back in Rotterdam again before flying to Canada. Oh yeah, I’ve also written and signed some 350 welcome letters to my new fanclub members, so there wasn’t really any time to take it easy, haha!”

INSIGHTF1: HAVE YOU ALSO GOT A BUSY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEKEND?
Robert: “Though it may sound crazy, things aren’t that different as usual GP weekends when I do drive the team’s third car. On Thursday I still walk an ‘installation lap’ with my engineer Oliver Knighton and during the weekend I attend al meetings, debriefs and dinners with the team, Bridgestone and Toyota. As the Montreal circuit is (together with the tracks in Indianapolis and Istanbul) new for me as I’ve never driven here before in F1 or F3000 I will mainly focus on obtaining as much information as possible.”

INSIGHTF1: DO YOU STAY IN CANADA/USA NEXT WEEK?
Robert: “Yep. Next Monday I’ve still got some obligations for the team, but after that I’ll fly to Indianapolis for the next event as the United States GP is only planned one week after the race in Montreal. For the teams that’s actually quite a logistical challenge! On Thursday I plan to walk my usual lap around the track. As this is also one of the tracks I’ve never raced on before, I think I also drive some laps on the Playstation back in my hotel, just to make sure I’m fully prepared for Friday’s two Free Practise sessions. After that weekend, I’ll head home to Holland.”

INSIGHTF1: ANY OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW?
Robert: “Yes, I would like to tahnk everyone for their support in the last two weeks! I can imagine many people got scared after everything what happened just ahead of the European GP, but we are just very busy to get on the Formula One grid in 2006. As a teammember I have to serve the team’s interests so this was just an investment for my own future. But I have to say I’m really happy that so many people are subscribing to the fanclub. Though the last weeks I’ve been very busy, I’m for sure going to reserve some time soon to answer all questions in our Q&A section!"

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