Press release from DAMS
20.03.2011
A perfect weekend! After their dominant victory on Saturday, Romain Grosjean and the DAMS team confirmed their supremacy in the Asian GP2 Series today, Sunday, on the Imola circuit by winning the drivers’ and teams’ titles.
Despite a few problems in free practice, the Imola weekend went off in ideal fashion for Romain Grosjean. After bagging pole with a superb performance in the final lap of qualifying and a brilliant victory in race 1, he finished the job in the second round. His task was made easier by the elimination of his main rival, Jules Bianchi, in a race incident on the first lap.
From that moment on, no matter what the result the drivers’ title was his. It was a fantastic reward for the whole DAMS squad who also won the teams’ championship.
Pal Varhaug should also be associated with this success as he drove a very impressive second race. After his encouraging fourteenth place on Saturday, the Norwegian rookie finished seventh on the road, which then became sixth in the final results giving him his first point in GP2.
Jean-Paul Driot, DAMS President: “In addition to the titles won today, we have the satisfaction of a job well done in the technical and mechanical areas combined with out-and-out performance. Romain and Pal have both fitted into the team perfectly, which has made things a lot easier. But we haven’t forgotten that our sights are set on the main GP2 Series. With this in mind, the titles we’ve added to our laurels here have reinforced our conviction that we’re on the right track.”
Loïc David, General Manager: “It’s a great reward for the whole team and I’d like to give them my heartiest congratulations. The dice fell in our favour in the second race, but on Saturday we’d already done was necessary to be in the best possible position. Congratulations too to Pal who opened his score in only his second meeting. Other battles now await us in GP2 and this result has given our confidence a major boost!”
Romain Grosjean: P7
“I’m over the moon with my second title. Once again I have to congratulate the whole team for doing a superb job after free practice, and I’d like to share this victory with them. It augurs well for the rest of the season in the main series. I can’t wait for it to begin, and I’m convinced that we have every chance of winning another title.”
Pal Varhaug: P6
“First of all, I’m very happy for the team with the two titles we’ve won today. I’m also thrilled with my race and the fact that I’ve scored my first point. I’m feeling very optimistic for the coming season, and by improving my performance in qualifying I know I can score points for the team on a regular basis in the main GP2 Championship.”
