The DAMS team tackled the third round of the Asian Series GP2 Championship, one of the supporting events of the Malaysian Grand Prix on the Sepang circuit.
This morning, Jérôme d’Ambrosio and Kamui Kobyashi set the 11th and 12th times in free practice, and both drivers were hoping for good qualifying performances. The Japanese finished 8th despite his 2nd run being spoilt by traffic. Jérôme was less fortunate. A blown engine in qualifying just after his first run put paid to his chances. Tomorrow, he will start from 18th place on the grid for the long race.
So overall it’s been an up-and-down day for the team. It remains confident, through, as both cars have shown an encouraging turn of speed on their first outing on the Sepang circuit.
Eric Boullier, team manager: “Today, our aim was to get both drivers into the first eight. We managed to do so with Kamui, but Jérôme was unable to set a good time due to engine failure. Tomorrow, we’ll tackle the race with two different objectives. Kamui should finish in the points and assure himself of a good place on the grid for Sunday’s round. Jérôme’s aim will be to bring the car home, to gain experience and to seize the slightest opportunity. He’s already shown that he’s more than capable of fighting his way up through the field.”
Kamui KobayashiFree practice: 12th timeQualifying: 8th time
“We’re improving all the time in understanding the car and we’ve proved that here today. The Sepang circuit is a very pleasant one. Right from the start I felt that the set-up chosen by the team provided me with a good working basis, and we made steady progress without any hitches. Tomorrow, my aim will be to move up a few places at the start if possible, and then to fight my way to the front. I’m confident I can do it thanks to the team’s strategy and the overtaking opportunities provided by this track.”
Jérôme d’AmbrosioFree practice: 11th timeQualifying: 18th time
“You can’t be satisfied with eighteenth place so I’m pretty disappointed. The morning wasn’t too bad and the car was handling well so it was all looking good. Unfortunately, the engine’s temperature went into the red right from the start of qualifying and that was that! The race looks like it’s going to be difficult but I don’t give up easily!”
