DAMS, 489 days later

489 days. This is the length of time between DAMS' previous victory in Formula 2, acquired at Silverstone on August 2, 2020 thanks to Daniel Ticktum, and the very latest, freshly gleaned by Marcus Armstrong in Jeddah this Saturday. “We are very happy because it is the reward for a lot of work done with the drivers, DAMS general director François Sicard told us a few minutes after the finish of the race. It’s been a while since we’ve transformed the test. It's a return to the top step of the podium which comes after a long wait, let's say very far from our usual standards (smile). We're enjoying it even more, but I keep in mind that it's a sprint race, and I hope that by starting from 9th position on Sunday, we will be able to fight at the front in the main race. , and to confirm all this in Abu Dhabi next weekend. »

In history, DAMS is not the only one to have unblocked its counter. Since this victory was also the first for New Zealand driver Marcus Armstrong in the antechamber of the F1. " It's fantastic, confided the New Zealander at a press conference, because it was a difficult 8 months. To finally have this winner’s trophy, it feels good! Above all, it’s very good to see all these smiles on the faces of the DAMS clan. It’s a great reward for the work that has been done this year. For one reason or another, the results have not always followed, but on other urban tracks, such as in Baku or Monaco, we have been able to perform very well. We often deserved better. We had a great race 1 this weekend, and I don't give up hope that the rest of the weekend will be equally strong. »

Great resistance to Liam Lawson

Starting second on the grid following his ninth position in qualifying, Armstrong got the better of his fellow pole-sitter Liam Lawson (Hitech) at the first corner. Behind, he showed himself to be imperial throughout the race, until this last Safety Car which intervened four laps from the end, when Theo Pourchaire was damaged. The kiwi then had to contain Lawson's return for two laps, but despite great pressure from his compatriot, the vice-champion of F3 2019 didn’t suck.

Marcus Armstrong made the DAMS colors shine. © Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

“This success is really important to us, testified once again François Sicard. It will allow the entire team to regain confidence and certainty. Because failure makes us constantly question ourselves, and sometimes even question things that we shouldn't. We have a good car, the two months of break that we had between Sochi and today, allowed us to work a lot with the drivers, analyze our shortcomings, and see what we were missing to be more efficient . We have found ways of working, and it is going in the right direction. From the outside, it also demonstrates that we are capable of reacting and bouncing back, even after a difficult period. »

A success which indeed comes at the right time, one week before the end of the championship and especially at a time when the teams are shopping for 2022. Only 7th in the Teams ranking, and 12th in the drivers' championship with Armstrong, DAMS has shown that it is capable of offering its drivers a good car, and winning again. “Now, we will especially have to confirm, however tempered François Sicard. To achieve this kind of performance in the main race, and to ensure that it is not a flash in the pan. » It has the merit of being clear.