Jan.24 (PVM) Jerome D’Ambrosio was axed at the end of last year by Marussia Virgin Racing, after his first year in Formula 1, but the Belgian driver has kept his foot in the door by being appointed as Lotus F1 Team’s third driver.
D’Ambrosio said, “It is a great feeling to be joining Lotus F1 Team. It’s an exciting next step in my career. I contested a complete season in F1 as a race driver for a smaller team where I learnt a lot about Formula 1.”
“Now, I have the opportunity to work with one of the top teams with great potential for my future development. With my recent race experience, I know I can make a valuable contribution,” said the 26 year old who made his F1 debut at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.
“Of course, I would love to be racing, but racing with a top team. Being associated with Lotus F1 Team should be more beneficial and this is the choice I have made. This opportunity is one I couldn’t afford to miss. My desire to get back in a race seat in the future is motivating me to do the best job possible in my new position,” said D’Ambrosio.
Team principal Eric Boullier said, “To have a third driver who is highly motivated, fresh and talented and who contested the full 2011 season is highly beneficial for us. In Jerome we have someone we know well who integrates beneficially with the squad.”
“He impressed as reserve driver for us in 2010 and at the end of that year he made a strong showing in the young driver test. He also showed strongly in his rookie season as an F1 race driver. I am looking forward to working with Jerome again and think he is a perfect addition to our driving strength,” added Boullier.
The 26 year old will be the reserve driver to Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, making it an all new driver line-up for the Enstone based team.
D’Ambrosio was Renault reserve driver in 2010 and, like Grosjean, is managed by Boullier’s Gravity Sport Management