DAMS in resolute mindset before the final round

Spa's upturn in fortune didn't continue in Italy. DAMS' recent results have seesawed between highs and lows without the overall performance of the team being called into question. At Monza the best Michael Christensen could do was eighth, while Richie Stanaway was eliminated in the first chicane. Before the final round in Abu Dhabi in November Christensen's hopes of a top-3 finish have taken a blow although such a result is still possible in the teams' classification for the French squad. Hopefully, the pendulum will swing back in DAMS' favour in the Emirates.

After a mixed free practice session (Stanaway 4th quickest time despite heavy contact with a kerb and Christensen 12th) DAMS wasn't all that happy with qualifying as the Danish driver set the sixth-quickest time and his New Zealand team-mate, the fifteenth. The race itself didn't bring much joy either as a driver spun in front of Stanaway in the Rettifilo chicane triggering a collision. It was all over for the Kiwi who had to retire with an overheating engine caused by the incident. At the front Christensen fought his way up to fourth before falling back to eighth after going wide and dirtying his tyres. Although his chances of third place in the championship are fading as he is 16 points behind Amermuller (20 points for a win), the Dane will take the fight down to the wire.

François Sicard, Managing Director: "Obviously, the overall result is disappointing. We were expecting better. Richie's car received a heavy thump in free practice, and this certainly spoilt his qualifying session as the setup wasn't optimised. As usual Michael gave 100 per cent and he's scored good points for the team. We're fourth in the championship and we've got third in our sights. We'll do everything in our power to clinch it in Abu Dhabi."

Michael Christensen: "The race didn't go off exactly as I'd imagined it would; I made a good start and moved up a few places. Then my tyres started to go off and my pursuers upped the pressure on me. Finally, I lost more places than I'd gained. That's what happens when the gaps are tiny. Now, I'm going to try and help DAMS finish third in the teams' championship by driving a good race in Abu Dhabi."

Richie Stanaway: "Free practice got off to an encouraging start as I set the fourth-quickest time but the car suffered a violent impact when I spun. Then it all went wrong in qualifying as I didn't really have a good feeling; I finished fifteenth when I should have been at the same level as Michael. In the race I couldn't do anything to avoid the car that spun in front of me. We'll have to get back on the right track for the last round and finish on a high note, which will also help the team in the championship."

Next races: Abu Dhabi (2-3 November)