Marussia must approve d’Ambrosio for 2011 Virgin seat

Jerome d’Ambrosio is on the verge of securing his formula one race debut.

The 24-year-old completed the 2010 season as Virgin’s Friday morning driver in the place of Brazilian rookie Lucas di Grassi.

Timo Glock is staying with the British team next year, and the Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure and La Libre say d’Ambrosio will almost certainly be his teammate.

The reports said Virgin Racing approved the deal last week, and it must now be signed off by the team’s new Russian shareholder and title sponsor Marussia.

Confirmation is expected before Christmas, and d’Ambrosio admitted he is “confident”.

“I have done what I can, now I am waiting,” he added.

German Glock backed the delay in the confirmation of his 2011 teammate.

“I think it is right to take our time and make sure we have the best combination of youth and experience, plus the best information going back into the team at testing and races to ensure we can develop as quickly as we want to and keep moving forward,” he said.

 © RIF | GMM