Virgin announces d’Ambrosio for 2011

The Marussia Virgin Racing Formula One team is delighted to announce that it has signed rising talent Jerome D’Ambrosio to partner the team’s lead driver Timo Glock in 2011.

Last month, the 25 year old Belgian successfully concluded an evaluation role with the team, which saw him take part in the Free Practice 1 sessions of the Singapore, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Grands Prix. In addition, he conducted a further half day programme at the wheel of the VR-01 race car during the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test following the concluding round of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The aim of the programme was to evaluate Jerome’s potential for a race seat with the team and his speed and excellent technical feedback saw him pass the test with flying colours.

Jerome has spent the last four seasons competing in the GP2 Series, prior to which he raced in the GP2 Asia series. International Formula Master, the F3000 Euroseries and Formula Renault. Alongside his 2010 GP2 commitments he has also held the role of Reserve and Test Driver for the Renault F1 Team.

Jerome’s first official duties will commence early next year with the launch of the VR-02, Marussia Virgin Racing’s contender for the 2011 season. He will then commence pre-season testing alongside his 28 year old German team-mate Timo Glock in Valencia in February.

Brazilian Luiz Razia, the team’s test driver in 2010, steps up to the role of Test and Reserve Driver for 2011.

Marussia Virgin Racing Team Principal, John Booth, commented: “Jerome had been on our radar for quite some time as a driver we should seriously consider for a 2011 race seat. We had followed his progress in GP2 closely and it was clear he was ‘one to watch’, but when we put him in the car for the four race weekends and the Abu Dhabi test he surpassed even our own expectations. He slotted into the team perfectly and everyone took a shine to him, including our partners and the media. Apart from his obvious skill at the wheel of a Formula One car, he is an immensely personable young guy who is a pleasure to have around. He has secured this seat absolutely on merit and I think coupled with Timo and Luiz we have the perfect blend of youth, experience, speed and potential and we can’t wait to see what they can achieve together next season.

“Finally, I must thank Lucas di Grassi for the important role that he also played in establishing the team. He contributed a great deal to our development and we wish him every success in his future career, which we have no doubt will be an exciting one.”

Marussia Virgin Racing’s new second driver, Jerome D’Ambrosio, commented: “I’m thrilled to have achieved my goal of a Formula One race seat with Marussia Virgin Racing. When I came to the team in September this year it was everything I could hope for. I had a tough test to complete because there was a lot of competition for this seat but at the same time I got on well with the team and felt that I had found my home. I feel very comfortable with them - they are extremely professional and ambitious people and it is exciting to think that I can be a part of shaping the team’s future. I would like to thank everyone at Marussia Virgin Racing for the faith they have showed in me and everyone at Gravity Sport Management for the support they have given to my career so far.”

Lead driver Timo Glock said: “My congratulations to Jerome on joining the team and I look forward to working with him next year. After a tough but rewarding debut season for our team we now have a lot of hard work to do to take Marussia Virgin Racing to the level we should be performing at in 2011. I for one cannot wait to get started in the new car when testing begins in February.”