Yesterday in the last round of the 2008-09 Asian GP2 Series Championship on the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, DAMS finished its campaign in the best possible manner with a place on the rostrum. Jérôme d’Ambrosio made another of his spectacular comebacks to finish second. Once again the Belgian driver set the fastest lap in the race, and proved that he was the quickest man on the track over the weekend.
By scoring 6 points this morning Jérôme snatched second place overall in the drivers’ classification giving DAMS a clean sweep: a double in the drivers’ championship and the title in the teams’ ratings.
Next stop: the first round of the 2009 GP2 Series Championship on the Barcelona circuit in two weeks’ time.
Jean-Paul Driot: Team Principal: “Bravo to Jérôme for having shown real racing intelligence, and for having shown patience to seize 2nd place at the right moment. I’m very happy that he has sealed the runner-up spot. He fully deserves his second place in the championship, after having made exemplary progress. We’re leaving Bahrain with the feeling that we’ve accomplished our aims. This weekend’s successes give an additional boost to DAMS’ s motivation for the rest of the year!”
Eric Boullier, team manager: “We knew that Jérôme had a chance of snatching second place in the championship in the last race today. He didn’t miss the opportunity, and drove magnificently managing to get past some very tough rivals after a long battle. So he’s now one of the favourites for the main series that starts in two weeks in Spain. The championship has finished on highest possible note for DAMS. Once again I’d like to thank all the team members and our supporters as well as all those who sent us their congratulations.”
Jérôme d’Ambrosio, 6th on the grid, 2nd at the finish“I began the weekend in a very aggressive frame of mind, and my approach paid off. Fastest lap in qualifying, two rostrum finishes and two fastest laps: it would have been difficult to do better, and I’m delighted with what I’ve shown in Bahrain. My aim is to keep up the momentum and fight at the front in the GP2 Series.”
Kamui Kobayashi: 5th on the grid, 5th at the finish“It’s difficult to overtake on this circuit, and I couldn’t see off Yamamoto. It’s a pity, as I’d have liked to have been on the rostrum with Jérôme to celebrate a fantastic season. But I’m convinced we’ll have other opportunities to spray the champagne!”
