Formula Master’s position within motorsport’s hierarchy was validated once more as 2007 Champion Jérôme D’Ambrosio became the Series’ first driver to step up to GP2.
Claiming five wins during Formula Master’s inaugural season, the step solidifies the 21-year-old’s position on the international racing scene, following plaudits from the industry including the Royal Automobile Club Belgium’s (RACB) Driver Of The Year Award and of his 2008 drive with GP2 team DAMS.
“GP2 was always the next step,” said D’Ambrosio who is currently heading developments on the 2008 Formula Master race car ahead of joining GP2. “It’s the last stop before Formula 1 so it means a lot to be part of it. It also proves Formula Master was the right thing to do this year. Winning the RACB award is pretty special too. It’s a 50-year-old cup with some amazing racing names on there. It means a lot to join them.
“The development on the Formula Master car is going really well. We’re mainly concentrating on new technology for next year such as the engine, gearbox and the electronics but there are no issues at all. We completed the mileage we wanted to do and everything is on schedule.”
Formula Master teams are also testing in Vallelunga today for the last two-day winter test of the year with ADM Motorsport’s Norbert Siedler and Michael Meadows (Euronova Racing) amongst the 2007 graduates.
D’Ambrosio set the fastest time of the day (1:27.848) in the 2008 car today, almost nine tenths ahead of Siedler in second place at the wheel of the 2007 Formula Master (1:28.716).D'Ambrosio testing in Vallelunga todayFollowing his testing debut for the Series at Monza last September, Formula 3 Japan’s Yuji Sekiguchi re-joined Formula Master today and confirmed his pace with the third fastest time of the day (1:28.763). Formula Renault 2.0 NEC’s Paul Meijer, driving for new team AR Motorsport, made his debut and set a time of 1:29.748.
“We are extremely proud to see Jérôme confirmed as a GP2 driver,” said Series Director Mauro Sipsz. He has enormous potential and deserves this completely. It is also the best validation we could have wished for the Series; to become known as a trustworthy training ground for upcoming drivers.
“Four drivers from the Series have tested for GP2 to date whilst Trident Racing, one of the GP2 series’ established teams, has confirmed its participation in Formula Master next season. Alongside this, the 2008 version of the car is already showing strong performance and reliability. We could not have asked for more as the end of our first year approaches.”
Formula Master’s 2007 winter testing concludes tomorrow at Vallelunga.
Formula Master – Vallelunga winter testing
Day One
1. Jérôme D’Ambrosio (BEL), Formula Master 2008 car, 1:27.848
2. Norbert Siedler (AUT), ADM Motorsport, 1:28.716
3. Yuji Sekiguchi (JAP), Euronova Racing, 1:28.763
4. Federico Rossi (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:29.032
5. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport, 1:29.120
6. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:29.315
7. Fabrizio Crestani (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:29.441
8. Michael Meadows, (GBR), Euronova Racing, 1:29.455
9. Paul Meijer (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:29.748
10. Mattia Pavoni (ITA), JD Motorsport, 1:29.862
11. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:30.566
12. Tomas Pivoda (CZE), ADM Motorsport, 1:31.530
13. Salvatore De Plano (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:40.717
