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Belgian wins the race for Virgin drive
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2010, Wednesday
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BELGIAN Jerome D'Ambrosio will partner Germany's Timo Glock at Virgin Racing next season, the Formula One team announced yesterday.
D'Ambrosio replaces Brazilian Lucas di Grassi at the newcomers who failed to score a point in their debut championship this year.
The 24-year-old, who will be the first to race under a Belgian licence in Formula One since Phillipe Adams with Lotus in 1994, took part in Friday practise sessions with the Cosworth-powered team at four grands prix in 2010. The former Renault test and reserve driver also spent half a day with Virgin, whose title sponsor is now Russian sportscar maker Marussia, in a post-season test in Abu Dhabi last month.
"I'm thrilled to have achieved my goal of a Formula One race seat," he said in a team statement.
"When I came to the team in September this year it was everything I could hope for. I had a tough test to complete because there was a lot of competition for this seat, but at the same time I got on well with the team and felt that I had found my home."
Team principal John Booth said D'Ambrosio had been on their radar for some time.
"We had followed his progress in GP2 closely and it was clear he was 'one to watch', but when we put him in the car for the four race weekends and the Abu Dhabi test he surpassed even our own expectations," he said. "He slotted into the team perfectly and everyone took a shine to him, including our partners and the media," added Booth.
D'Ambrosio replaces Brazilian Lucas di Grassi at the newcomers who failed to score a point in their debut championship this year.
The 24-year-old, who will be the first to race under a Belgian licence in Formula One since Phillipe Adams with Lotus in 1994, took part in Friday practise sessions with the Cosworth-powered team at four grands prix in 2010. The former Renault test and reserve driver also spent half a day with Virgin, whose title sponsor is now Russian sportscar maker Marussia, in a post-season test in Abu Dhabi last month.
"I'm thrilled to have achieved my goal of a Formula One race seat," he said in a team statement.
"When I came to the team in September this year it was everything I could hope for. I had a tough test to complete because there was a lot of competition for this seat, but at the same time I got on well with the team and felt that I had found my home."
Team principal John Booth said D'Ambrosio had been on their radar for some time.
"We had followed his progress in GP2 closely and it was clear he was 'one to watch', but when we put him in the car for the four race weekends and the Abu Dhabi test he surpassed even our own expectations," he said. "He slotted into the team perfectly and everyone took a shine to him, including our partners and the media," added Booth.
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