D'Ambrosio aims for podium at Spa

Jérôme, you are going to race at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. Is this a particular circuit in your eyes?

Yes, and for two reasons. First of all, I grew up with this circuit. For all Belgians, it represents something unique. Then, as a driver, the track is a real treat. I appreciate it even more since I competed in GP2 races. The speed and power of the car make Eau Rouge and Blanchimont real showstoppers. In F3 or in Formula Renault, these sectors were trading heavily without much thought. In GP2, they take on another dimension, jump out at you, and I imagine they are even different behind the wheel of a F1.

What makes this route so special?

It requires even more concentration than the others. When you get behind the wheel, you know that you are going to come up against a racing monument. That you will not have the right to make mistakes. A trip to Spa is a mixture of apprehension and pleasure, a rush of adrenaline that makes the moment very special.

What are your ambitions this weekend?

I want to get on the podium at home. A victory would be a nice bonus. My performances at the start of the season showed that I could play a leading role in the race, so there is no reason to aim for another result.

Why have your last GP2 races been disappointing?

We were especially unlucky in qualifying. For a whole bunch of reasons (traffic, yellow flags, arriving on the track at the wrong time), I found myself far back on the grid. In these conditions, it is impossible to get back into the lead of the race and the two rounds of the weekend are therefore compromised. I drive the same way, my motivation has not changed. I made some good comebacks, my race times show that my performances place me among the best. You shouldn’t lose confidence for a few “off” weekends.

You scored three points in Valencia last week. Encouraging?

Yes because before that, we had experienced four difficult races. After a little more than three weeks of interruption, we have resumed the season on the right foot.

Do you know what your sports program will be for 2010?

My ambition is still the same: to arrive in F1 in the coming years. The troubled times the sport has gone through recently have not helped young drivers. Until very recently, in fact, all negotiations seemed frozen. Today, things are clearer. In addition, the arrival of young competitive drivers showed the teams that it was possible to call on a fast “rookie” from the outset, and that GP2 was a good school. I have contacts, I can't talk about it and you understand why, but the situation is promising. It would be great for Belgium.