This weekend, the DAMS team is competing in the third round of the Asian GP2 Championship on the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain that also hosts the F1 grand prix during the year. Kamui Kobayashi and Jérôme d’Ambrosio were determined to restart the championship on a high note after the Shanghai round and the rain-shortened Dubai event.
This morning the 2 DAMS drivers set the track on fire and the Japanese was quickest in free practice with the Belgian in third spot. They were among the favourites in qualifying this afternoon and they seized their chances: Jérôme set the second-quickest time with Kamui just behind him in third.
Starting from such favourable positions on the grid, the team’s aim is obviously to finish Friday’s race with a double rostrum - and a victory to boot.
The start of the long race will be given at 13h00 local time tomorrow, and the short one at the same time the following day.
Eric Boullier, team manager: “It’s been a very positive day for both our drivers who were very quick right from the word go on the Bahrain circuit. We didn’t have any technical problems and our set-up proved to be the right one straight away. Everything’s under control at present and we hope the weekend will finish as it started – with a first place!”
Jérôme d’Ambrosio: 2nd on the starting grid“I took advantage of the break in the championship to do a lot of work. First of all in terms of physical fitness by fine-tuning my training. Then I tackled the technical aspect through long discussions with the DAMS engineers; I think all this effort’s paid off. The car’s balance was perfect and I really enjoyed myself behind the wheel today. My aim is to win the long event, but I want to drive my own race, do my best and not put too much pressure on myself.”
Kamui Kobayashi: 3rd on the starting grid“The car was very quick straight away and it wasn’t too difficult to set the quickest time in free practice this morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the most of qualifying. I ran into a little traffic and I missed out on pole by a tenth-of-a-second. It’s a bit frustrating but anything’s possible in the long race; and tomorrow I’ll be gunning for victory.”
