D'ambrosio to replace Di Grassi on Fridays

Belgian GP2 driver Jerôme D'ambrosio will run a Virgin Racing car in 4 of the remaining 5 free practice sessions this season. Lucas Di Grassi will retain his race seat but have to make way for the F1 rookie during Friday practice sessions.

The Belgian reported the news himself to RTBF, a Belgian tv network. As we reported earlier, he will also participate at one of the rookie tests after the final GP at Abu Dhabi where he will run one day for Renault and one for Virgin Racing.

D'ambrosio is said to be the number one candidate to secure a race seat at Virgin for 2011, alongside current number one Timo Glock.

"It is a nice display of confidence of Virgin to allow me to drive for them on circuits which I do not know. There is still a lot a of work not do, including the commercial side, but it would be great to be at the start of the 2011 Formula One season."