Formula One: Jerome D’Ambrosio, the next big thing for Virgin F1?
Virgin F1, ranked 12th in the Formula One constructor’s standings appears all set to change their ‘last place’ reputation next term. The team revealed on Monday that they have secured the services of GP2 young prodigy, Jerome D’Ambrosio, in an
evaluation for 4 of the remaining 5 outings on the 2010 F1 calendar; at the Singapore, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Grand Prix. However, his involvement at least for the year in question shall only be at the first practice session every Friday before these
race weekends.
Ambrosio, born December 27th, 1985 is a Belgium national. The youngster started his career in Karting in which he won the Junior Monaco Kart Cup in the year 2000. Three years later the Belgian racing driver won the Formula Renault 1.6 litre championships
in his home country. The Following year saw a move to the 2 litre formulae. Abriosio took part in the French series that year, the Italian series and the Euro-cup the year after. In 2006, the young driver was able to make a jump to the Formula Renault 3.5
series.
Jerome D’Ambrosio had a fruitful GP2 career racing for the DAMS team, he was team mate to arguably the best new comer this season; BMW Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi. Finishing 11th in the GP2 championships and notably finishing 2nd on two
occasions in the season, the Belgian continued his stint with the same team into the 2008-2009 GP2 Asia Series. The youngster’s consistency was admirable despite his inability to take Pole the entire season, Ambrosio finished runner up to his Japanese team
mate. Staying with the team for the 2010 season, in light of DAMS’s apparent cooperation with the Renault F1 team, the driver was finally able to crack up a wildcard to the elite motorsport as he was contracted and announced as a reserve driver for the Renault
Formula One team.
On his move to Virgin Racing, the young driver said, “My ultimate goal has always been to race in Formula One and I am delighted to get a step closer,” said the Belgian driver. “I wish to thank Virgin Racing and Gravity Sport Management for their confidence.
I won't disappoint them. “
The marriage was beneficial for both parties as the CEO of the Virgin F1 Racing team, Graeme Lowdon added, “We are very pleased to welcome Jerome to Virgin Racing and we look forward to providing him with the opportunity to drive the VR-01 during the first
free practice session of the next four race weekends.”
It should be noted that Timo Glock still has two years left on his contract while his teammate, Lucas di Grassi has an ‘option’ on his services for the next year. The contract situation might suggest that the latter might potentially be the driver to make
way for the new recruit on a possible permanent basis next season.
How will the injection of fresh, young blood affect the presently struggling team in the long run? That is something that remains to be seen, obviously. However, considering the sorry statistic that sees Virgin Racing unable to score a single point as the
season heads to its final five races, and bearing in mind the gulfing gap between the high and low end of the constructor’s standings, it is sincerely hoped that Jerome D’Ambrosio would make an instant and effective impact and be the voice of the perceived,
inferior teams knocking on the doorstep of a point scoring position.
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