Q&A with Jérôme d’Ambrosio

Jérôme, congratulations on staying with Lotus F1 Team for 2013, talk us through your role and how you see the season ahead…

I’m very pleased to be continuing with my relationship with Lotus F1 Team. Of course, consistency is a huge plus for any Formula 1 team, so I’m happy that I am in a position to be able to contribute to the team’s progression. Kimi and Romain are both fantastic drivers and I’ve enjoyed working with them in 2012, so I’m really looking forward to this coming season. The team has really moved forwards last year, and I’m proud that I was able to play a part in that. Now as we continue to aim higher, I’m happy to keep up my role as reserve driver, and stay with a team that has a real chance of doing well in the 2013 season.

You spent some time in the car, and competed for us at the Italian Grand Prix in 2012 where Eric said that you’d done an excellent job. Was that the highlight of your year?

Of course any racing driver wants to spend as much time in a Formula 1 car as possible, although the circumstances are not always ideal. Because we don’t test anymore, it’s very hard to be able to just step into a car and be race ready, however I felt very comfortable and settled in very quickly. I’m used to the Grands Prix with my time at Marussia, however it felt great to be back in a car and racing. I think it’s testament to the time that I’ve spent with the team, and the relationship we have that we did so well under difficult circumstances.

What are your aspirations for the year ahead?

Obviously to remain consistent and keep working with the team to do the best job we can. I learned from last year that you need to be ready in order to step straight into a race seat, so my aim will be to keep focussed and be prepared! Of course my ultimate aim is always to gain a race seat, however I know that by doing the best job I can here – and proving myself valuable to the team – I’m in a very good position should an opportunity arise.