D'Ambrosio Gets Opportunity To Prove His Worth

Belgian Lotus third and reserve driver Jerome D'Ambrosio will be driving for Lotus at Monza in Italy, replacing the banned Romain Grosjean.

Grosjean, who was held responsible for the heavy crash at the start of the race at Spa-Francorchamps last time out, will have to sit out the race at Monza after he was slapped with a suspension by race stewards.

Grosjean actions were ruled to be "Extremely serious breach of the regulations which had the potential to cause injury to others," and as such the Frenchman received a one-race ban.

There had been speculation that former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari or former Williams driver Rubens Barrichello would replace Grosjean next weekend in Italy. However, Lotus have now confirmed that their third and reserve driver Jerome D'Ambrosio will get an opportunity to prove his worth.

"When we signed Jérôme as our third driver we signed a man who is highly motivated, fresh, talented and who contested the full 2011 season," saysTeam Principal Eric Boullier. "We hope that this will pay dividends when he drives the car this weekend in Monza. We know that Jérôme is well integrated into the team and that he did a good job when he drove the E20 at the Mugello test. Now he has the challenge of a Grand Prix at the challenging circuit of Monza, in a car which is capable of finishing on the podium."

"One thing is for sure, he's half Italian and I think I know which driver the spectators will support apart from Fernando ! It's a tough task for Jérôme, but we will be supporting him in every way to achieve a good result."

D'Ambrosio, who lost his Virgin seat last year to Frenchman Charles Pic, is understandably delighted to have an opportunity to once again find himself in a race-seat.

"My desire for 2012 has always been to get back into the seat of a Formula 1 car so I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands," the Belgian said. "Monza is a fantastic circuit and I can't wait to take to the track on Friday. As third driver I have worked with the team at every Grand Prix, attending all the briefings and meetings that the race drivers do, so I am well prepared in this respect. Monza is a superb circuit, but it is also quite a technical one so I am not underestimating the task ahead of me."

"I want to reward the faith that the team has in me with a good haul of points from the race. I will hand the wheel back to Romain after Sunday's race and I hope that this one showing in Italy will allow me to show my capabilities fully," D'Ambrosio added.