Jérôme d’Ambrosio will start tomorrow’s long race from pole position in the fifth round of the Asian GP2 Series Championship on the Sepang circuit, which is hosting the 2009 Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Belgian driver drove an almost perfect lap that none of his 25 rivals were able to beat. He scored 2 points, bringing his total to twenty-three, and putting him near Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez. DAMS’s total goes up to sixty-two extending its lead over its nearest rival to 18 points.
Kamui Kobayashi will start from the second row of the grid. After setting the quickest time in free practice, he was baulked by a slower rival in the final corner on his fastest lap, giving him the fourth-quickest time.
These results point to a front-running performance for the team whose aim is clear: both drivers on the rostrum.
Eric Boullier, team manager: “Today’s result is an excellent one and I’d like to congratulate Jérôme for the exceptional job he’s done. The conditions are difficult at Sepang as it’s very hot, and the race is going to be a tough one. We’ll do our best to take advantage of the slightest opportunity to put our two drivers on the rostrum. Given our positions in both classifications we’re aiming for the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. Bravo to the whole team!”
Jérôme d’Ambrosio, 2nd time in free practice, pole position
“I’m really delighted with my pole position, and I’d like to thank the whole team for giving me a perfect car today. The balance is good and tyre wear isn’t a problem so I’ve got everything I need to fight for victory – and that’s my aim!”
Kamui Kobayashi: best time in free practice, 4th on the starting grid
“I’m a little disappointed as with my set of new tyres I had to go off line to avoid another car: it took me two laps to clean them. I crossed the finishing line two seconds before the end of the session and unfortunately, I came upon a slower driver under braking for the last corner. I lost around three-tenths and that put paid to my chances of a position on the front row. I’ll do my very best to gain places tomorrow. I’d like to congratulate Jérôme for his performance today. Well done, lad!” Qualifying results: Pos Driver Team Time Gap 1. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1:45.410 2. Diego Nunes Piquet 1:45.522 +0.112 3. James Jakes Super Nova 1:45.527 +0.117 4. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1:45.577 +0.167 5. Javier Villa Super Nova 1:45.649 +0.239 6. Vitaly Petrov Barwa Addax 1:45.720 +0.310 7. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1:45.748 +0.338 8. Pastor Maldonado ART 1:45.755 +0.345 9. Roldan Rodriguez Piquet 1:45.767 +0.357 10. Alvaro Parente Meritus 1:45.816 +0.406 11. Yelmer Buurman Ocean 1:45.954 +0.544 12. Davide Rigon Trident 1:45.978 +0.568 13. Luiz Razia Arden 1:45.989 +0.579 14. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1:46.053 +0.643 15. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1:46.087 +0.677 16. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1:46.105 +0.695 17. Fabrizio Crestani Ocean 1:46.108 +0.698 18. Sergio Perez Barwa Addax 1:46.169 +0.759 19. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1:46.184 +0.774 20. Michael Herck DPR 1:46.259 +0.849 21. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1:46.265 +0.855 22. Marco Bonanomi Meritus 1:46.315 +0.905 23. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1:46.604 +1.194 24. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1:47.838 +2.428 25. Kevin Nai Chia Chen FMS 1:49.642 +4.232 26. Michael Dalle Stelle Durango 1:49.857 +4.447
