The Minardi F1 Team has announced that Dutchman, Robert Doornbos, is to join countryman, Christijan Albers, in the Faenza squad’s driver line-up with immediate effect. Doornbos, who has fulfilled the role of Friday test driver with the Jordan-Toyota team this season, thus steps up to a full race seat at Minardi, replacing Patrick Friesacher.

“We are pleased to welcome Robert to Minardi,” comments Team Principal, Paul Stoddart. “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.