2007 Team & Driver Line-up

[GTRMagic]

The DP01 is a nice looking car... Here with the 'European' nose on it... looks more contemporary and current than the old Lola it replaces, which were totally different from anything you saw in Europe around that time

[indycool]

The "old Lola" was designed to do different things....like run on ovals.....

[norman-normal]

How is that? (design wise)

[luke]

Well I saw the DP 01 at the Autosport show, nice with your own eyes, it did look a bit chunky in a few areas and the two lump parts on the front wing part for the dampers? are a bit off putting, but some of the new liveries that we can see down at Sebring go with the car well.

[Kieran20]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

The DP01 is a nice looking car... Here with the 'European' nose on it... looks more contemporary and current than the old Lola it replaces, which were totally different from anything you saw in Europe around that time

that the new forsythe livery? yuk!

[carsten66]

Several websites in Europe are reporting that Doornbos is close to sign a deal to race in CC and that he is in talks with two teams - Minardi and Forsythe. Doornbos himself said that he will have a busy year as test-driver in F1 and regular driver in CC - but he wants to drive races...

[norman-normal]

He ought to be on a first name basis with all the airline stews before the end of the year.

[luke]

Doornbos, Jani, Premat and hopefully even Carroll? Very nice talent from Europe. Yes they maybe in Champ Car because no current F1 racing but who cares!

[mp356a]

Originally Posted by icemachine

Guess Doornbos won't be with Minardi

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news/2007...eserve_driver/

Why not? What did I miss in the article?

[BootsOntheSide]

From the article:

"Doornbos wil contribute to the team's development programme this season and be ready to replace one of the regular race drivers during GP weekends if necessary."

Seems to contradict the idea of him also racing in ChampCar.

[norman-normal]

I got the idea that he would race CC unless one of the F1 drivers is unable for what ever reason.......But I'm wondering if this is part of a bourdais contract buy out deal?

[D.R.T.]

Surely with Bourdais testing in the DP01 he's no chance at STR in 07.

[carsten66]

Obviously Red Bull spotted also CCWS as a good invest to build up their marketing activites... and discovered the series as a perfect training ground for their huge amount of sponsored drivers... Neel Jani, Robert Doornbos, Jos Verstappen are all backed by Red Bull.

And Doornbos, Verstappen and to keep in mind, Jan Heylen, get backing from the Muermans Group too.

Now we get a race in Belgian in 2007, we may reckon that we will see also Jan Heylen back on track...

[mp356a]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

From the article:

"Doornbos wil contribute to the team's development programme this season and be ready to replace one of the regular race drivers during GP weekends if necessary."

Seems to contradict the idea of him also racing in ChampCar.

I think we're reading a little too much into that but if course I could be wrong.

[D.R.T.]

According to Autosport, Doornbos has been quoted as saying he'll be racing in America this year.

[luke]

Basically unofficially official.

[norman-normal]

Probably waiting for the team to make the big announcement; unlikely they will till they decide on the other driver(s?)

[indycool]

Doornbos has gone around the block so much, think I'll wait to hear it officially.....as if he's important anyway to a U.S. audience, but I see him being part of the promotion around the European Tour and that boosts his stock.

[carsten66]

The new Minardi Team USA launched their website... but at the moment it's only a short hello... and without any hot news

http://www.minarditeamusa.com

[norman-normal]

I'm somewhat surprised at the way Cedric is featured, I thought he might be dropped.

[carsten66]

A new Team, Driver and Sponsorship line up updated with the latest news switching around ( and my cautious optimism):

Newman/Haas Racing
1. Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) / McDonalds
2. Graham Rahal (USA) / Mi-Jack, Gehl

Forsythe Championship Racing
3. Paul Tracy (CAN) / Indeck
7. Robert Doornbos (NL) / RedBull, Muermans

Minardi Team USA
4. Nelson Philippe (FRA) / A bird and a bear
14. Robert Doornbos (NL) / RedBull, Muermans
or Dan Clarke (GBR)

Team Australia
5. Will Power (AUS) / Aussie Vineyards
15. Simon Pagenaud (FRA) / Aussie Vineyards

PKV Racing
21. Neel Jani (SWI) / RedBull
22. Oriol Servia (ESP) / Gulfstream, Bell Micro

Rocketsports Racing
8. Alexandre Tagliani (CDN)

RüSPORT
9. Justin Wilson (GBR) / CDW
10. Mario Dominguez (MEX) / Pemex

Dale Coyne Racing
11. Jan Heylen (BEL) / Muermans, Berghoff
19. Katherine Legge (GBR)
and/or Bruno Junqueira (BRA)

Pacific Coast Motorsports
28. Ryan Dalziel (SCT)
29. Alex Figge (USA)

Conquest Racing
27. Alexandre Premat (FRA)
or Jan Heylan (BEL) / Muermans, Berghoff

[marcus]

cool thanks carsten

the lie up is starting to look very interesting

[Dudley]

I don't think you'll see Haylen retain Meurmans unless he's in a 3rd Minardi.

[Marcel ten Caat]

Or to say it in his own words:

"I am afraid that Muermans will not support me next season if he also supports Robert (Doornbos) in Champ Car."

[carsten66]

Indeed there are some question marks relating Jan Heylan's sponsorship but on the other hand he is Belgian and that would help to promote Zolder...

In one of his last interviews he states that he is in talks with three teams.

And Doornbos, we don't know how much Red Bull is willing to step up...

Also Ranger and Zwolsman are busy to find sponsorship, particularly they have some more hope since Eric Bachelart saved his CCWS team and now there is a slim chance for a second car...