DAMS’s first race of the 2008 GP2 Championship ended in an 8th place finish by Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver started from 13th position on the grid and fought his way up to 8th without making any errors opening the team’s score. Jérôme d’Ambrosio was less fortunate. He was 22nd place on the grid, and he got as high as 12th before bending a steering arm in a collision with another car leading to his retirement.

Kamui’s 8th place gave him pole for Sunday’s race, and it looks like the weekend will see another good performance from DAMS, as the team is determined to leave Spain with a rostrum finish.

Eric Boullier, team manager: “It’s been a pretty positive day. We said yesterday that our aim was to score points in the long race, and to start Sunday’s event from the front: from this point of view it’s mission accomplished thanks to Kamui. On the other hand, it’s a pity for Jérôme. He pulled back ten places until forced to retire after a collision. He was as quick as the front runners, and his weekend would have been completely different if he’d started from a good place on the grid.”

Kamui Kobayashi13th at the start, 8th at the finish

“It was my first start with the new car so it was all unknown territory. Two cars stalled on the same row as me and I had to zig zag losing a place. After my refuelling stop I was held up for two thirds of the race by two slower drivers. Luckily, I managed to get past one of them before the finish. Tomorrow, I’m starting from pole and it’s the best possible option for victory. That’s my aim!”