France will have at least one driver back on the Formula 1 grid next season after Virgin confirmed that Charles Pic will replace Jerome D’Ambrosio alongside Timo Glock in their 2012 line-up.
Strong rumours during the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix weekend suggested that 21-year-old Pic was poised to be handed the chance to step up from GP2 – where he has claimed three race victories in the past two seasons – following a successful debut F1 test for Virgin in the recent young driver sessions.
That news was confirmed on Sunday evening in Sao Paulo, with team principal John Booth explaining that the Frenchman’s race simulation work “particularly caught our eye” in Abu Dhabi.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Charles to Marussia Virgin Racing as Timo’s team-mate for 2012,” he said in a statement.
“We naturally keep a close eye on the junior formulae and Charles is certainly someone we have been watching over the past few years. The real barometer however was our young driver test in Abu Dhabi last week, where we put him through a series of tough tests to thoroughly evaluate his potential.
“This was his first time in a Formula 1 car so it should have been quite daunting, however Charles was extremely focused on what needed to be done and absolutely rose to the challenge. He continued to improve in every area but his race simulation work particularly caught our eye.
“Winter testing will be upon us before we know it, so it is actually a relatively short space of time ahead with a lot for Charles to get used to, but he is an extremely determined young guy and he worked very well with the team last week. He has an extremely mature head on young shoulders, so I have no doubt that he will be working very hard over the winter to prepare for his debut season.”
Pic will become the first Frenchman to race at motorsport’s top level since Romain Grosjean’s ill-fated stint at Renault in late 2009 – although Grosjean, along with countryman Red Bull protégé Jean-Eric Vergne, are also in the frame for 2012 drives.
Pic expressed his delight at landing the Virgin seat but is aware the young driver test was only the first step in his acclimatisation process ahead of the first race of his F1 career in Australia next March.
“I’m very happy to be making the step up to Formula 1 with Marussia Virgin Racing,” he said.
“As a driver you always feel you are ready for the next opportunity but in Abu Dhabi last week it was a tough test. The team gave me some fantastic opportunities to learn new things but I also knew that I had to impress them and show them I was ready to do a good job.
“I was pleased with my performance, and obviously the team were too, so a very good start but this is just the beginning and I know that a lot of hard work is ahead of me to reward this chance.
“I like the team a lot; we worked well together in the test and I feel very comfortable. They want to do things the right way and I can see that there is a lot of determination to succeed, so it is very special for me to be part of that.
“I’m looking forward to working hard in every area over the winter to ensure I am ready for the start of testing and my first Grand Prix.”
Booth also praised the contribution Belgium’s D’Ambrosio had made at the team in his sole campaign after he replaced Lucas di Grassi.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jérôme D’Ambrosio for his hard work and important contribution to our team over the past 12 months or more,” he added.
“He has an exciting future to look forward to I’m sure and we wish him every success.”