A special weekend for D’Ambrosio
Jérôme is in high demand for his home Grand Prix.
We know that a home Grand Prix is always something special for a driver. The presence of supporters gathered around the circuit can galvanize him and allow him to find that extra bit to gain a few tenths on a lap. But a national Grand Prix also comes with more demands than elsewhere, notably from the media. For his first appearance at Spa-Francorchamps driving an F1, Jérôme D’Ambrosio obviously doesn’t escape this rule.
« It’s very different on Thursday. Normally I spend hours with my engineers, whereas here I did a lap and spent 10 minutes with them. I’m running around all the time left and right, » explains the Marussia Virgin driver in the Spa paddock.
If this weekend is therefore more challenging than another with a packed schedule, JDA willingly fulfills all obligations and sees the positive side of things.
«Now if it’s like that, it’s because there’s an interest. There are the fans and then there are a lot of people who are starting to realize the return of F1, so that’s why today a partner will be announced soon. It’s true that you have to learn to manage, but I do it with pleasure because it means that things are moving. This enthusiasm for auto sports in Belgium is good for all Belgian motor sports and for young drivers, » declares the Belgian who adds that it has not prevented him in any way from preparing well for the qualifying session.
And what does he think of the Raidillon in a Formula 1 car? In the rain, it becomes a nice corner, it becomes very interesting. I had a couple of scares. You touch the white line a little and you’re off. We go about 250-240 km/h.
Jérôme D’Ambrosio will start 20th on the grid this afternoon and should quickly have a certain Michael Schumacher in his mirrors, but he doesn’t intend to be intimidated. “I will race my race,” he explained.
From our correspondent in Spa-Francorchamps
