Dubaï, Race 2: DAMS rounds off the championship with another podium for DAMS finish
DAMS finished the Asian GP2 Series Championship with champagne thanks to Jérôme d’Ambrosio’s 3rd place. The Belgian driver started from the front row and was second early on in the race. After a closely-fought battle with Sébastien Buemi he finished third and scored 4 points. With 12 points to his tally he moved up a place in the ratings to tenth overall. Kamui Kobayashi could not hope to score points starting from 21st spot. He fought his way up to fifteenth setting the fastest lap of the race in convincing style. The Japanese driver’s total of 22 points gives him 6th place in the drivers’ championship.
The Dubai meeting was the final round of the Asian GP2 Series Championship, and Jérôme’s podium finish helped the team move up a place to fourth in the teams’ ratings.
DAMS is now concentrating its efforts on the coming GP2 Series Championship which will kick off in Barcelona in 2 weeks’ time (25th-27th April 2008). Kamui Kobayashi and Jérôme d’Ambrosio will again represent the French team at the wheel of brand new cars.
This season DAMS will also enter the Formula BMW Europe Championship with two French drivers, Kevin Breysse and Jim Pla.
Eric Boullier, team manager: “First of all I’d like to congratulate our two drivers and the whole team for the efforts they’ve made, and the quality of the work they’ve accomplished this season. Everybody’s given 100% and DAMS’ five podium finishes in the Asian GP2 Series are a good reason for satisfaction. With a little bit more luck early on we could have been on the podium in both the drivers’ and teams’ championships, but we’ve every reason to be pleased with our performance. These ten races have provided excellent training for the GP2 Series Championship that’ll start in a few days. We’ll make a huge effort to put into practice all the lessons we’ve learned this winter.”
Jérôme d’Ambrosio2nd on the grid, 3rd at the finish
“I’m happy to have finished the Asian Championship on the podium. The team’s been getting more and more competitive throughout the winter season, and today we’re in a strong position with a few days to go to the start of the GP2 Series Championship. My performance here today has enabled me to move up a place in the drivers’ ratings, and the same thing goes for DAMS in the teams’ championship. It’s very positive and I’m determined to begin my next challenge on the front foot.”
Kamui Kobayashi21st on the grid, 15th at the finish
“By stalling at the start yesterday I knew that it would be virtually impossible for me to score any points this weekend. It’s frustrating as my fastest lap today shows that we had the pace to go for victory. But what I prefer to remember are the best moments of the championship: my two victories and my sixth place overall. Both the team and I know that with a little bit more luck we could have finished much higher up. It bodes well for the start of the GP Series.”
Jean-Paul Driot, Team Principal: “We’ve finished the Asian GP2 Series with champagne, and that’s always satisfying! We became increasingly competitive and closely knit as the season wore on, and we were one of the top teams from mid-championship onwards. Bravo to the whole squad for our good results, and rendezvous in Barcelona where we’ll take up a new challenge.”
