DAMS Race 1: A day best forgotten

DAMS had a difficult day  on the Istanbul circuit in the first GP2 race, one of the curtain raisers for the Turkish Grand Prix. Kamui Kobayashi and Jérôme d’Ambrosio both failed to see the chequered flag following various incidents. The Japanese driver was hit in the first corner, and his team-mate suffered a loss of hydraulic pressure causing his retirement.

The cars will start towards the back of the grid tomorrow so the chances of scoring points look slim, but the team will do its very best to take advantage of the slightest opportunity.

Eric Boullier, team manager: “Early on in the weekend it all looked very promising and getting both our cars into the top 6 seemed a real possibility. We’d have had more luck in the race had this been the case. We knew that starting from far back on the grid increased our chances of a collision; that’s what happened to Kamui in the first corner. Jérôme looked on course for a place in the points until a fuse in the hydraulic pump blew. We’re very disappointed and we’ll do our best to turn the tables tomorrow.”

Kamui Kobayashi22nd on the grid, rtd: 25th on the grid tomorrow

“Not much to say really as my race lasted all of a few hundred metres. Another competitor hit me and broke my car’s front suspension. It’s a weekend to forget as it’ll be very difficult to score points tomorrow.”

Jérôme d’Ambrosio10th on the grid, rtd: 20th on the grid tomorrow

“My race got off to a good start as I was in seventh place before my refuelling stop. Unfortunately, hydraulics failed soon afterwards and I had no choice but to throw in the towel. It’s a pity as it was possible to score points and start tomorrow’s short race from the front of the grid.”


Related Motorsport Articles

84,521 articles