D'Ambrosio to replace Grosjean at Italian GP
Belgian Jerome D’Ambrosio has been officially confirmed to race at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Lotus F1 reserve driver will take over from Romain Grosjean, who was handed a one-race ban at Belgium after causing a major collision by aggressive driving at the start of the Belgian GP.
D'Ambrosio's last action in an F1 car was his participation in several pre-season tests for the team. This time it will however be a one-time event, as Grosjean is scheduled to race again at the Singapore Grand Prix when his race ban has expired.
Eric Boullier, Team Principal:
"When we signed Jérôme as our third driver we signed a man who is highly motivated, fresh, talented and who contested the full 2011 season. We hope that this will pay dividends when he drives the car this weekend in Monza. We know that Jérôme is well integrated into the team and that he did a good job when he drove the E20 at the Mugello test. Now he has the challenge of a Grand Prix at the challenging circuit of Monza, in a car which is capable of finishing on the podium. One thing is for sure, he’s half Italian and I think I know which driver the spectators will support apart from Fernando ! It’s a tough task for Jérôme, but we will be supporting him in every way to achieve a good result."
Jérôme D’Ambrosio, Third Driver:
"My desire for 2012 has always been to get back into the seat of a Formula 1 car so I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands. Monza is a fantastic circuit and I can’t wait to take to the track on Friday. As third driver I have worked with the team at every Grand Prix, attending all the briefings and meetings that the race drivers do, so I am well prepared in this respect. Monza is a superb circuit, but it is also quite a technical one so I am not underestimating the task ahead of me. I want to reward the faith that the team has in me with a good haul of points from the race. I will hand the wheel back to Romain after Sunday’s race and I hope that this one showing in Italy will allow me to show my capabilities fully."
