D’Ambrosio set to replace banned Grosjean for Monza

3 September, 2012

Jerome D’Ambrosio looks set to make Lotus race debut at Monza

Sep.3 (GMM) Lotus reserve driver Jerome d’Ambrosio looks set to replace the banned Romain Grosjean for the Italian GP weekend starting on Friday at Monza.

The FIA has banned Frenchman Grosjean for one race after causing the crash that prematurely ended the grand prix for championship contenders Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

Belgian d’Ambrosio, 26, is Lotus’ official third driver.

The 2011 Virgin Racing Team driver is managed by Lotus team boss Eric Boullier’s management arm Gravity.

“We’ll announce the name of [Grosjean's] replacement a bit later in the week,” said Boullier at Spa, on Sunday.

D’Ambrosio, who already attends all the races, said that he is ready and willing to step into the cockpit of the highly-competitive E20.

“It’s unfortunate for Romain, but it’s the FIA’s decision. It’s not for me to comment,” he told the Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

“Anyway, it’s part of my job since the beginning of the year to be ready, no matter what. I’m ready and highly motivated.

“What happens, we’ll see. It [the situation] is still brand new and I don’t know exactly what will happen.”

Boullier is quoted by the French-language RMC Sport as saying the chance d’Ambrosio will get the job is “80 per cent”.

“[But] there are many drivers looking for a steering wheel,” he is quoted by France’s autohebdo.fr. “First, we are thinking of [appointing] our third driver.”

Subbed by AJN.

Related posts:

1. Grosjean gets one race ban for causing crash and will miss Monza
2. Photos: Start mayhem eliminates Alonso, Hamilton, Grosjean and Perez
3. Renault confirm Grosjean to replace Petrov
4. Renault deny Grosjean to replace Heidfeld
5. Grosjean ready to replace Piquet at Renault