Kamui Kobayashi will start the long race from pole in the final round of the Asian GP2 Series Championship, part of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix meeting, on the Sakhir circuit. The Japanese driver, who currently leads the championship, added another 2 points to his tally giving him 49, 15 more than his nearest rival, and he could become champion tomorrow! Jérôme d’Ambrosio will start from eleventh place. The Belgian driver set the quickest time in qualifying this afternoon, but a penalty imposed on him at the last round in Malaysia dropped him back 10 places on the grid.

Today’s results underline the team’s capacity to up its game at just the right moment. DAMS has made a big step towards both titles and hopes to clinch them as soon as possible.

Eric Boullier, team manager: “It’s a very special weekend for us as we can win both titles. But we’re just trying to tackle this event like any other. Today’s results with the two quickest times in qualifying show that the team has managed to keep its feet on the ground, and I’d like to congratulate everybody. Tomorrow, Kamui will start from pole and all he needs is fifth place to clinch the drivers’ title. We’re going to do our very best to help him win. Jérôme was quickest in qualifying for the second time in succession. He’s been hit by bad luck this season and deserves to be second overall in the drivers’ ratings. He’s one of the best drivers in the series, and he should shine in two weeks’ time when the GP2 Championship gets underway.”

Jérôme d’Ambrosio: fastest time in qualifying, 11th on the grid (penalty)“Today, by being quickest for the second time on the trot, I showed the progress I’ve made since last year. I’m feeling really good, really competitive and despite my place on the grid, I’ll give my all tomorrow and take advantage of the slightest opportunity. I want to end the season on a high note and score points, which will also help DAMS to win the teams’ title.”

Kamui Kobayashi: second-best time in qualifying, 1st on the grid “It’s an ideal start for the team and by setting off from pole our aim will be victory. Track conditions are good; the circuit suits me and I hope to finish at the front. If incidents interfere with my race, I have to think of the title and not risk any collisions by going for victory at all costs.” Qualifying results:

    Pos Driver Team Time Gap      1. Jerome D'Ambrosio DAMS 1m43.752s       2. Kamui Kobayashi DAMS 1m43.863s +0.111       3. Roldan Rodríguez Piquet 1m43.910s +0.158       4. Diego Nunes Piquet 1m44.014s +0.262       5. Pastor Maldonado ART 1m44.101s +0.349       6. Luiz Razia Arden 1m44.141s +0.389       7. Giedo van der Garde iSport 1m44.174s +0.422       8. Davide Valsecchi Durango 1m44.310s +0.558       9. Javier Villa Super Nova 1m44.319s +0.567      10. Alvaro Parente Meritus 1m44.321s +0.569      11. Karun Chandhok Ocean 1m44.472s +0.720      12. Marco Bonanomi Meritus 1m44.477s +0.725      13. Sergio Perez Barwa 1m44.546s +0.794      14. James Jakes Super Nova 1m44.552s +0.800      15. Davide Rigon Trident 1m44.649s +0.897      16. Hamad Al-Fardan iSport 1m44.673s +0.921      17. Sakon Yamamoto ART 1m44.705s +0.953      18. Rodolfo Gonzalez FMS 1m44.747s +0.995      19. Edoardo Mortara Arden 1m44.864s +1.112      20. Vitaly Petrov Barwa 1m44.879s +1.127      21. Michael Herck DPR 1m44.921s +1.169      22. Giacomo Ricci DPR 1m45.676s +1.924      23. Fabio Crestani Ocean 1m45.837s +2.085      24. Kevin Chen FMS 1m46.428s +2.676      25. Ricardo Teixeira Trident 1m46.485s +2.733      26. Michael Della Stelle Durango 1m46.702s +2.950