Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

GP2: Manager insists Jerome d'Ambrosio on Virgin's radar for 2011

|
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Speculation is rising once again that Virgin is considering a change to its driver line-up for the 2011 season.

Team boss John Booth earlier played down reports he is considering replacing Lucas di Grassi with Jerome d'Ambrosio.

The Belgian reports said GP2 driver d'Ambrosio, already working with Virgin as its new reserve driver, has been offered Brazilian di Grassi's race seat for 2011 if he can raise EUR 5 million.

"If we can gather the requested budget, Jerome will be in F1 next year," his manager Yves Decorte told La Derniere Heure newspaper.

"And if we can do it quickly, he might even be able to drive on a Friday morning at the end of the season. Today we have three fifths of the budget, and I still have a lot of meetings lined up. I rate our chances to be there at 80 per cent," he added.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada