Motorsport: Minardi to make replacement

Dutch driver Robert Doornbos will replace Austrian Patrick Friesacher at Minardi from this weekend's German Grand Prix.

The announcement gave the sport its first all-Dutch line-up, with the 23-year-old Rotterdam rookie partnering Christijan Albers at the Faenza-based team.

Doornbos, formerly a Friday test driver for Minardi's rivals Jordan, was handed his chance to race after Friesacher's sponsorship dried up.

"He [Doornbos] has demonstrated clearly over the last year that he has the pace necessary to compete in Formula One," team boss Paul Stoddart said.

Jordan and Minardi are rivals at the tail-end of the starting grid, with the former scoring 11 points so far this year to Minardi's seven.

Both teams scored their points at last month's US Grand Prix, a race of just six cars with none of the Michelin-equipped teams competing because of tyre safety concerns.

Friesacher, 24, scored three points at Indianapolis, but has otherwise failed to finish six of the 11 races.

Stoddart said his decision to replace the Austrian had nothing to do with performance, however.

"Although commercial considerations mean we have had to bring our relationship with him to an end, this decision should in no way be taken as a reflection on his skill or ability as a driver," he said. "We continue to rate him very highly."

Minardi, operating on a fraction of the budgets of other teams, need both their drivers to bring in sponsorship.