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[scotty]

Jerome D'Ambrosio has secured the second race seat at Virgin Racing for 2011, the team announced on Tuesday.

The Belgian conducted third-driver duties for the team in Friday practice sessions towards the end of last season and had been one of the favourites to race alongside Timo Glock next year.

And after weeks of negotiations, as the team weighed up other options including retaining Lucas di Grassi or signing Giedo van der Garde, Virgin has finally decided to commit to D'Ambrosio.

Speaking about the deal, which now gives him plenty of time to get ready ahead of the first running of Virgin's 2011 car, D'Ambrosio said: "I'm thrilled to have achieved my goal of a Formula 1 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."

Virgin team principal John Booth said that the team's decision on signing D'Ambrosio was made very easy after it saw how good he was in the Friday sessions he did with the outfit.

"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 1 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 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.

"Timo has done an excellent job for us in our debut season, in often challenging circumstances. There is no doubt that he has helped us to establish a strong foundation from which to develop the team and the package. We look forward to being in a much stronger position to deliver the car he deserves in 2011.

"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."

D'Ambrosio is part of the Gravity Sport Management programme that is headed by Renault F1 chairman Gerard Lopez and its team principal Eric Boullier.

Erm, ok. He's hardly set the world alight. Is he basically just another pay driver?

[Robert12010]

Jerome D'Ambrosio has secured the second race seat at Virgin Racing for 2011, the team announced on Tuesday.

The Belgian conducted third-driver duties for the team in Friday practice sessions towards the end of last season and had been one of the favourites to race alongside Timo Glock next year.

And after weeks of negotiations, as the team weighed up other options including retaining Lucas di Grassi or signing Giedo van der Garde, Virgin has finally decided to commit to D'Ambrosio.

Speaking about the deal, which now gives him plenty of time to get ready ahead of the first running of Virgin's 2011 car, D'Ambrosio said: "I'm thrilled to have achieved my goal of a Formula 1 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."

Virgin team principal John Booth said that the team's decision on signing D'Ambrosio was made very easy after it saw how good he was in the Friday sessions he did with the outfit.

"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 1 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 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.

"Timo has done an excellent job for us in our debut season, in often challenging circumstances. There is no doubt that he has helped us to establish a strong foundation from which to develop the team and the package. We look forward to being in a much stronger position to deliver the car he deserves in 2011.

"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."

D'Ambrosio is part of the Gravity Sport Management programme that is headed by Renault F1 chairman Gerard Lopez and its team principal Eric Boullier.

Erm, ok. He's hardly set the world alight. Is he basically just another pay driver?

i fear you could be right, which is what guys like heidfield and de la rosa have been saying unless your something exceptional or have a massive finance behind you then you've got no chance

[Ayrton Senna is God]

There's a shocking possibility that Heidfeld, Hulkenburg and Di Resta might not get a seat this year. This annoys me a lot, all 3 are very talented drivers.

[Hansy]

Petrov confirmed at Lotus Renault for 2011.

[F1er]

Petrov confirmed at Lotus Renault for 2011.

2012 as well! He did deserve another chance,not more than Hulk though imo.

[Robert12010]

petrov is not bad, but i still feel that heidfield would be a better choice,reunite the good partnership that he had with robert kubica at bmw sauber

[Ayrton Senna is God]

petrov is not bad, but i still feel that heidfield would be a better choice,reunite the good partnership that he had with robert kubica at bmw sauber

+1. Both Heidfeld and Robert are very consistent drivers, when given a reliable car they will score points. Petrov needs to improve next season, he underperformed, but he knows that last season was about learning. He'll probably have a seat in F1 somewhere up until 2014 at least.

[What's Burning?]

I posted this on the Renault become Lotus Renault thread, but figure it was good to also post here. We can confirm Petrov to this list.

Lotus Renault confirms Petrov for 2 years
22 December 2010


The Lotus Renault Grand Prix team announced on Wednesday it has signed Vitaly Petrov for the 2011 and 2012 Formula 1 season. The Russian will partner Robert Kubica at the Enstone-outfit.

Vitaly Petrov was the first Russian Formula 1 driver in 2010 to compete in the sport. Petrov is obviously pleased to see his future in F1 secured for another two seasons. Speaking about the announcement Petrov said: “I am very happy to continue with the team and proud to be representing Lotus Renault GP for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. I learned a lot about the sport, the circuits and the car this year. That will help me improve even more in the future.

“I am very excited about working with this great team once more, and I’m confident that I will deliver. In many ways, 2010 was about learning. 2011 will be about performing. Today, I feel I am ready to rise to this challenge.”

[JackMaster]

petrov is not bad, but i still feel that heidfield would be a better choice,reunite the good partnership that he had with robert kubica at bmw sauber

+1. Both Heidfeld and Robert are very consistent drivers, when given a reliable car they will score points. Petrov needs to improve next season, he underperformed, but he knows that last season was about learning. He'll probably have a seat in F1 somewhere up until 2014 at least.

I wouldn’t dare to compare Heidfeld with Kubica. In my opinion Heidfeld is a consistent driver while Kubica is a hell of a driver.

[texasmr2]

petrov is not bad, but i still feel that heidfield would be a better choice,reunite the good partnership that he had with robert kubica at bmw sauber

+1. Both Heidfeld and Robert are very consistent drivers, when given a reliable car they will score points. Petrov needs to improve next season, he underperformed, but he knows that last season was about learning. He'll probably have a seat in F1 somewhere up until 2014 at least.

I wouldn’t dare to compare Heidfeld with Kubica. In my opinion Heidfeld is a consistent driver while Kubica is a hell of a driver.

I must agree with that.

[nish2280]

There's a shocking possibility that Heidfeld, Hulkenburg and Di Resta might not get a seat this year. This annoys me a lot, all 3 are very talented drivers.

I really dont get why Di Resta isnt in F1 yet. I mean he has the whole of Mercedes racing division behind him, surely they can find him a drive seeing as they supply 3 good teams and at the moment have the strongest engine!

[vaptin]

There's a shocking possibility that Heidfeld, Hulkenburg and Di Resta might not get a seat this year. This annoys me a lot, all 3 are very talented drivers.

I really dont get why Di Resta isnt in F1 yet. I mean he has the whole of Mercedes racing division behind him, surely they can find him a drive seeing as they supply 3 good teams and at the moment have the strongest engine!

Neither do I, unless Luizzi's particularly good at car development and technical feedback.

[nish2280]

And they could easily just go over to Williams and say "Hey, we will give you our engines with X% discount if you agree to take Di Resta with it. This should work as the engine is the strongest in the field and Di Resta is a great driver so not everyone will be upset with him being a paid driver.

[bud]

I dont think Mercedes will give their engines to Williams when they couldnt give them to RedBull. And Di Resta is on McLarens driver programme not Mercs.

[nish2280]

I dont think Mercedes will give their engines to Williams when they couldnt give them to RedBull. And Di Resta is on McLarens driver programme not Mercs.

For some reason i always thought he was in Merc's. I guess its because he drives for Merc in DTM and tested for Force India, but now that i think about it Force India does share some technology from Mclaren.