D’Ambrosio looking forward to “very special weekend”

2011 Belgian Grand Prix

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Hopefully D'Ambrosio will fare better than Adams did

Jerome d’Ambrosio is looking forward to becoming the first Belgian to start his home Grand Prix since 1994 this weekend.

D’Ambrosio said: “I have been looking forward to my first Formula One Belgian Grand Prix for a very long time, and now that the weekend has finally arrived I have to say that I am really excited and I can’t wait to race in front of my home fans.

“It’s been a long time since Belgium had a Formula One driver – exactly 18 years since Thierry Boutsen last raced in an F1 car. So it’s going to be a very special weekend both for me and the fans and I’m going to try to enjoy every moment.”

Boutsen was the last Belgian to enjoy success in Formula 1, winning three races.

The last Belgian to race at Spa was Philippe Adams for Lotus in 1994. He qualified last, 1.5 seconds slower than any other driver, and spun out after 15 laps.

D’Ambrosio added: “There’s nothing like racing at home and Spa is clearly one of my absolute favourite circuits.

“Its layout gives everything one could want as a driver – fast corners, hills and long straights. It really is one of the most challenging laps in the world. And we can’t forget the legendary corner of Eau Rouge. It’s just amazing!

“It’s been great to have a break and chill out with my friends and family, staying away from planes and hotels. I am now fully prepared for the weekend in Spa and I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car and racing at home.”

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    Keith Collantine
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    13 comments on “D’Ambrosio looking forward to “very special weekend””

    1. Adams was a pay driver with zero talent.
      We don’t like to be reminded of him :)

      1. Remind you of anyone? Someone from last year, perhaps? ;)

      2. Hardly surprising that Ambrosia decided to gloss over him.

    2. He needs some good results, the way Robert Wickens is racking them up in WSR…

    3. I bet Jerome does the same as Adams :P

      1. He might even qualify last, but his talent is superior to Adams’.

    4. Considering the great weekend Robert Wickens had at Silverstone, D’Ambrosio better have a very special weekend.

    5. i swear to god this guy has had the quietest season in entire paddock

      1. Not necessarily a bad thing if you’re a rookie!

        1. He had that nice pit-lane pirouette though :)

          1. His talent is clearly wasted on F1 ;)

    6. I hope he has a good weekend, I’ll keep an eye out for him.

    7. OmarR-Pepper (@)
      23rd August 2011, 15:22

      In his favour it can be the local track (I guess he has raced here lots of times), but against him is the car performance. Probably it would be a good idea to make a strategy of running a single lap with soft tyres, usually the final lap, like Vettel and Massa did this year (which track was it?) because it’s hard to imagine him on the points. But let’s see. lso Belgium and its treacherous weather can help if he manages to survive a probable rain

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