Former F1 star Robert Doornbos has swapped the racing paddock for the intercourse toy business after an costly authorized battle that just about ruined him.
Robert Doornbos as soon as raced for Pink Bull (Picture: Getty)
Former F1 star Robert Doornbos had the world at his toes and was as soon as one of the promising younger drivers on the circuit. He made his F1 debut mid-season in 2005, stepping in to associate Christijan Albers at Minardi. He raced in eight Grands Prix with the staff earlier than becoming a member of Pink Bull Racing in 2006 as a reserve/check driver, later changing Christian Klein for the ultimate three races. Doornbos would not race in F1 once more after 2006 and finally discovered success in American Champ Automobile racing for Minardi.
Dutch actual property tycoon Harry Muermans, who established Muermans Group together with his brother in 1978, turned financially invested in Doornbos’ journey within the early years. It is typical in racing for rich traders to sponsor proficient drivers to advance their careers.
Nonetheless, when Doornbos’ profession stalled, the connection soured. In 2012, former Minardi and Pink Bull racer Doornbos entered a authorized battle with Muermans, who alleged that the £9.5m given to him all through his time in F1 was a mortgage, not a sponsorship. Dutch publication De Telegraaf then confirmed the Rotterdam court docket had granted Muermans’ request to make Doornbos’ firm bankrupt.
Whereas this might have knocked many people off the trail to success, Doornbos made the outstanding resolution to begin intercourse toy firm Kiiroo.
The target of Kiiro’s expertise is to allow long-distance companions to expertise sexual sensation with out truly being in one another’s presence – it is basically remote-controlled intercourse.
“We use expertise to forge new and higher methods for folks to attach, as a result of in an more and more digitalised, freelance world, the necessity is rising every single day,” reads Kiirroo’s web site.
“We’re on a mission to enhance human communication on-line. Up to now, on-line communication has solely included video, audio or textual content – however we proceed so as to add a brand new dimension to the world of social networking; contact.” As soon as their merchandise have been bought, {couples} can join by way of Bluetooth-enabled video chat and really feel one another’s motions.
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The corporate has been so profitable that Doornbos was recognised in Forbes 10 years in the past, with the enterprise being based mostly solely a “stone’s throw” from Amsterdam’s Pink Gentle District.
Regardless of the corporate being based mostly within the Netherlands, Dutchman Doornbos lives in Dubai together with his younger household. Alongside his enterprise ventures within the grownup business, Doornbos works as an F1 analyst with Ziggo Sport.
He had briefly left the corporate in 2024 after relocating to the Center East, saying: “In addition to being a Components 1 analyst, I am additionally an entrepreneur. Alternatives have come my approach within the Center East, and we have determined to settle there with our household.
Robert Doornbos in the summertime of 2025 (Picture: Photograph by Marcel van Dorst/EYE4images/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures) Race particulars, staff updates, outcomes and opinion plus chosen provides and competitions Subscribe Invalid e-mail
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“And that is why, after greater than ten great years and 4 world titles for Max Verstappen, my time at Ziggo Sport is coming to an finish.”
Nonetheless, Doornbos returned to his analyst position with Ziggo in early 2025. He additionally has a podcast with Chris Hardy entitled ‘The Pit Discuss Podcast’.
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