Q&A: Robert Doornbos - EXCLUSIVE.

After 21 years of competition, the Minardi team will shortly disappear from Formula One, with this weeks four day long test at Vallelunga the final act for the perennial back-markers following the sale of the team to Red Bull.

Crash.net took the chance to catch up with Robert Doornbos, one of the last drivers to race for the team, at the test to look back over the season...

Q:
Robert, you came into the Minardi line-up part way through the 2005 season, so how do you feel your time with the team went?

Robert Doornbos:
Quite good actually. I was pleasantly surprised when the chance came at Hockenheim and also with the speed of the car because everyone knows that at times in the past - such as 2003 - they have been quite slow compared to the rest of the grid. I was testing for Jordan and when I jumped into the Minardi I could see straightaway that we could match their pace with the PS05 and that was without even having tested the car.

We developed during the eight grands prix that I did and every weekend there were more gadgets coming on the car and we were finding more time and we were pushing for the first time in a long time to have a mini grand prix within a grand prix with the Jordans.

I think that was good for the motivation of everyone in the team and it was also a big boost for myself. It was good to start beating my ex team-mates from Midland and start fighting with my new team-mate at Minardi.

Q:
As you said, it was an unexpected chance with Minardi. How did you feel when you got the call and were offered the drive?

RD:
It was great to be honest. I don't want to sound cocky but I was getting a little bit bored at Midland because there was no testing and the only running I was getting was on Fridays at the races so it was kind of annoying to wait for two weeks for my chance in the car and then only have two hours behind the wheel.

Nearly every time I was quicker than the race drivers so I was hoping to get my chance with them but it never came, I think they had good contracts, so we were looking for opportunities and when the chance with Minardi came I didn't hesitate. My sponsors looked at it and said 'let's go' and, before I knew it, I was changing suits and jumping into a new car.

Q:
And, with Christijan Albers alongside you, Minardi suddenly went from being the little Italian team to one that the Dutch fans could cheer on.

RD:
Yeah it was great, I think we created a little bit of history there, the first time there were two Dutch drivers in the same team. I don't live in Holland, which might be a good thing as I think there was a little bit of chaos at first, but I noticed at the races how the Dutch fans came out in large numbers like they used to do for Jos Verstappen and they were really enthusiastic.

Q:
This year was of course the last season for the Minardi team in F1 with the team having now been sold to Red Bull. Does it make you feel proud and make it more special to know that you were one of the final drivers to have raced for this team?

RD:
Yeah I think so, but it was also special because, like I said earlier, Minardi was more competitive this season and it wasn't just a fight between the two cars, we were able to fight with some of the other teams. I was very proud to be a Minardi driver and many good drivers have made their debut with this team.

In China, Paul [Stoddart] was getting a little bit emotional on the radio before and after the race and I promised him before the race that I would put on a good show. My team-mate had done that already with Michael [Schumacher], I don't know exactly what happened there, but for me it was good race. I know the safety car helped, but I finished on the same lap as Alonso and it is always good to finish the season on a high.

As they say in Formula One, you are only as good as your last race.

Q:
As you mentioned, a number of good drivers have started their F1 careers at Minardi - most notably the new champion Alonso - so you must know be hoping to try and follow in their footsteps.

RD:
Fernando has done extremely well and he made his debut with Minardi, as did Fisichella and Trulli and also Mark Webber. I think it is something that I could aim for but there are many things to take into consideration. Fernando, for example, spent a year testing and getting to know the [Renault] team and then the team was built around him and look what happened to them.

Mark has also done very well at Williams and it is great to be on the list, but now it is up to me and my sponsors and the people around me to prove that we can go in the same direction.

Q:
Looking to the future, have you any idea what 2006 holds for Robert Doornbos?

RD:
I do have an idea, and I do want to tell you, but I can't release any details yet. We are almost done and I hope I can jump in the car soon to get a feeling for it. It's an investment in my career and I think it is great if it comes through because I'm still young and I feel I can have a good career in F1.

Q:
Is that something we might know more about in the coming weeks or might it be a bit longer - say, after Christmas?

RD:
I think it will be before Christmas because last year my Christmas was way too stressful and I'd like it be a bit more relaxed this time around! We'll wait and see.