IndyCar is known as a place where there is bright young talent with the passion to compete in open wheel racing at a high level. Also, the series has gained a reputation for housing F1 drivers that either are on the tail end of their career or not good enough to drive at the pinnacle. Both of these are the case for Robert Doornbos who has decided that after 12 races he needed a change.
Doornbos has executed the option on his NHL contract and will leave the team effective immediately but plans to remain in the IndyCar series. The ex F1 driver is currently leading the IndyCar rookie of the year standings now has no ride for this weekends race at Mid-Ohio. Doornbos is currently 15th overall for the championship and has been connected with the HVM team. Doornbos was very appreciative of the team and wished them well for the rest of the season.
The team has had some great finishes and Robert has performed pretty well thus far. Granted he had no oval experience before getting here, he was able to qualify solidly for the Kansas race. There were problems in the pits that made life rough during the race, but it was a respectable first attempt at an oval. All together he had solid performances thus far in his rookie season. We will be watching and waiting to see if he can get the HVM ride before this weekends race at the beautiful Mid-Ohio road course.
Personally, I think Bobby D was a bit hasty in leaving NHL before Mid-Ohio. That the best team for him, and he’d have a far better shot at a good finish with them than with HVM.
I agree with you Doug. I think Bobby is miffed that Rahal got preferential treatment, but Rahal had a full season contract and reportedly Doornbos only had funding for 12 races….