Lotus F1 Team has announced that Jérôme D'Ambrosio has joined the team as thirddriver for the 2012 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.
Jérôme, who contested last year’s season as a race driver for Marussia Virgin Racing, willattend all races in 2012, working with the race driver pairing of Kimi Räikkönen and RomainGrosjean. The 26 year-old Belgian will be ready to stand-in for either of the two race drivers ifrequired.
Jérôme D'Ambrosio: “It’s a great feeling to be joining Lotus F1 Team. It’s an exciting next stepin my career. I contested a complete season in F1 as a race driver for a smaller team where Ilearnt a lot about Formula 1. Now, I have the opportunity to work with one of the top teams withgreat potential for my future development. With my recent race experience, I know I can make avaluable contribution. Of course, I would love to be racing, but racing with a top team. Beingassociated with Lotus F1 Team should be more beneficial and this is the choice I have made.This opportunity is one I couldn’t afford to miss. My desire to get back in a race seat in thefuture is motivating me to do the best job possible in my new position.”
Eric Boullier, Team Principal and Managing Director: “To have a third driver who is highlymotivated, fresh and talented and who contested the full 2011 season is highly beneficial for us.In Jérôme we have someone we know well who integrates beneficially with the squad. Heimpressed as reserve driver for us in 2010 and at the end of that year he made a strongshowing in the young driver test. He also showed strongly in his rookie season as an F1 racedriver. I am looking forward to working with Jérôme again and think he is a perfect addition toour driving strength.”
Jérôme will be present at the Lotus F1 Team launch in Jerez (Spain) on February 6th.
Jérôme D’Ambrosio / Racing CV2012 – Lotus F1 Team Third Driver2011 – Marussia Virgin Racing Race Driver2010 – Renault F1 Team Reserve Driver / Virgin Racing Test Driver / GP2 Series DAMS2009 – GP2 Series DAMS / GP2 Asia Series DAMS2008 – GP2 Series DAMS / GP2 Asia Series DAMS2007 – International Formula Master2006 – Euroseries 30002005 – Formula Renault 2.0 Italia2004 – Championnat de France Formula Renault 2.02003 – Formula Renault 1.6 Belgium / Formula König
