Sponsor seeks millions from F1 driver Doornbos

Robert Doornbos, the former Minardi and Red Bull driver, is being pursued for millions by a former sponsor.

The disgruntled backer, Harry Muermans, is demanding the Dutchman pay back a whopping EUR 11 million from their partnership between 2005 and 2008, claiming the money was in fact not sponsorship, but loans.

Doornbos, now 30, made his debut for Minardi in 2005, and he also contested a few races for Red Bull Racing at the end of the following season.

According to the Dagblad de Limburger newspaper, Muermans has won the first round of the court battle, a judge ruling that money paid to Doornbos’ company - headed by his sister - was in fact in the form of loans.

Muermans is now seeking many more millions from Doornbos himself.

The driver, who reportedly denies Muerman’s claims, did not comment.