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Source - Superleague Formula
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Monday, 22 March 2010 02:15 |
  The Dutch presence in Superleague Formula will be significant in 2010 as the series sees Robert Doornbos to represent Corinthians, PSV sign Narain Karthikeyan and Chris van der Drift joins Olympiacos
Ex-IndyCar Series and Formula 1 driver, Robert Doornbos, is the latest arrival from the Netherlands and will represent Brazilian club Corinthians.
Doornbos was previously part of the 2008 Superleague Formula line-up when he raced the AC Milan car and the experienced driver has also competed in A1GP, Formula 3000 and Champ Car.
Robert Doornbos:
“After weighing up all my options for 2010 I decided to go with the Azerti Racing team’s invitation to race for Corinthians in Superleague Formula. Azerti has a strong team and I am honoured to drive for one of the most famous clubs in the world. After spending a year in the US I want to get back to winning races, though I would like to emphasise that my American adventure is not over."
"Superleague Formula has a very competitive field in 2010, with many former F1 drivers in the line-up and in my opinion it is the most important series in Europe after Formula 1. I would like to express my gratitude to Azerti and Robin Webb for this opportunity and for their confidence in me. I would also like to thank, my sponsors and fans, who I will keep informed through Twitter.”
Team manager Wim Coekelbergs:
“I am extremely happy that Robert will be joining our ‘family’ and I would like to thank him and his management team for their faith in us. We will do everything within our capabilities to achieve great results together with Robert.”
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven, the only Dutch club to compete in Superleague Formula by Sonangol, has signed Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan.
Team Manager Jan Lammers:
“One of the main reasons for PSV joining Superleague Formula was to globalise their exposure. By contracting Narain and not specifically choosing a Dutch driver they are complying with this objective.”
The 33-year-old Karthikeyan was the first Indian driver to compete in Formula 1 where he raced with Jordan before moving to Williams as test driver in 2006.
From 2007 to 2009 he raced in A1GP where he was especially successful at Brands Hatch, one of two UK circuits to feature on this year’s Superleague Formula calendar, where he twice finished on the top step of the podium.
Alongside Doornbos two other Dutch drivers will be taking part in Superleague Formula this season.
Yelmer Buurman, who finished fourth in the last season’s overall standings, will race for the Italian giants AC Milan, while Chris van der Drift has been announced by Greek club Olympiacos.
Van der Drift, who raced with Epsilon Euskadi in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series last season, will be making his debut in Superleague Formula this season.
The 24-year-old driver, who holds duel New Zealand and Dutch nationality, won the Formula Masters title in 2008 having been vice champion the previous year.
Chris Van der Drift:
“It will be a new experience for me racing on behalf of a team like Olympiacos in a series that is different to what I have done before. But I am very excited and I can't wait for the first race. It will be different because I have never driven the car before but I am very proud to drive for Olympiacos. It´s a very successful football club with a long tradition and I will try my best to transfer that success into motorsport.”
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