Robert Doornbos Zandvoort Masters race notes

Robert Doornbos crosses the chequered flags of a furious paced race at the Marlboro Masters in 18th position. The Marlboro Masters, 2003 edition, took place under very hot conditions, today, in front of a thick of audience of 50.000 people ...

Robert Doornbos crosses the chequered flags of a furious paced race at the Marlboro Masters in 18th position.

The Marlboro Masters, 2003 edition, took place under very hot conditions, today, in front of a thick of audience of 50.000 people came for this traditionally spectacular event. Nowhere the grid start has such an high value as it has in Zandvoort, for the Marlboro Masters, with such a competitive and professional group of drivers and teams.

Dutch superstar Robert Doornbos, in his "home race", drove a very strong race finishing in a 18th best position. Starting from the 30th place on the grid, due to an unlucky qualifying where Robert suffered from mechanical problems in both sessions (engine and then drive-shaft), Robert did a spirited start and managed to overtake and gain as much positions as possible. After just only 8 laps he was able to move up in 21st position, when the safety car came in. As it enter the pit lane again (at lap 11), Robert pushed hard and drove with great determination jumping in 19th place and setting also the 5th fastest time over 33 drivers that were already on track.

For the 25 laps run Team Ghinzani driver #19 (#16 in the Euro Series championship) raced with a faultless driving in this tough race. Robert made a really good progress moving up from 30th on the grid to a final 18th place: "I'm quite happy for my race. I knew that it would have been difficult for me to finish in top ten because of my qualifying position, but this is the best I could do and at the end I'm satisfied" -- said Robert -- "At the green lights I passed two cars and I tried to push hard. I thought it was difficult here to overtake but I was able close the gap and move up. The car was good today and I could also set quick time, close to the best ones".

Robert Doornbos Dallara-Mugen, car #19: P 18

RACE RESULTS
1 C.Klien
2 N.A.Piquet
3 R.Briscoe
4 N.Lapierre
5 J.Green
6 Winchelhock
7 O.Pla
8 A. van der Merwe
9 A.Premat
10 F.Carbone
11 R.Bremer
12 J.P. de Oliveira
13 A.Carroll
14 R.Dahlgren
15 D.la Rosa
16 W.Davison
17 J.Heylen
18 R. DOORNOS
19 C.Piccione
20 S.Fabi
21 T.Graves
22 A.Parente
23 D.Watts
24 E.Viso
25 A.Thompson
26 A.Zuber
27 B.Splenger
28 M.Lasee
29 K.Hiranaka
30 T.Glock
31 C.Zwolsman
32 R.Antinucci
33 R.Kubica

NON CLASSIFIED: A.Margaritis, B.Auinger, E.Salignon, B.Asaro

In 2002 Marlboro Masters edition, Robert qualified 6th but was then eliminated in the warm-up by fellow Dutchman Stefan de Groot who hit Robert from behind and vanished any hope for a podium finish.

F3 EURO SERIES Driver's championship: Robert Doornbos lies in 9th position with 19 points.