Marcus Ericsson has signed with DAMS with the aim of following Romain Grosjean and Davide Valsecchi and becoming the team’s third straight drivers’ champion. Stephane Richelmi has been recruited by the French squad to be Ericsson’s teammate.
Ericsson will be entering his fourth season of GP2, having spent the last two years with iSport International. Both campaigns were disappointing for the Swede, finishing tenth in 2011 and eighth in 2012. He did win the feature race at Spa last year and took second place finishes in Monaco, Valencia and Singapore. Prior to racing in GP2 he won the Formula BMW UK title in 2007 and the Japanese F3 crown in 2009.
Ericsson spent one day testing with DAMS at Jerez last month and topped the timesheets.
“I’m extremely proud to get the opportunity to drive for the DAMS team,” said the 22-year-old. “Their results over the last couple of years say it all.
“After testing successfully together in the Jerez post-season tests, there were no doubts as to where I wanted to be in 2013. The preparations for next year have already started and I feel ready to fight at the front of the championship together with DAMS.”
Richelmi joins DAMS for his second full season of GP2 after racing for Trident Racing in 2011, finishing 18th overall with a best result of third at Hockenheim.
“Of course, I’m very happy and very proud to be a part of the DAMS family,” said the Monegasque driver, also 22.
“After a fairly difficult 2012 season I was determined to have a good winter test session to join a top team and improve in 2013. Thus, I drove for Lotus GP for one day, then with Trident, and finally with DAMS.
I soon chose the reigning teams’ title holder. The way the engineers work really impressed me; the team’s level of professionalism is faultless and the very pleasant ambience makes you feel at home straight away. I hope to fight at the front next year while helping DAMS to clinch another teams’ title.”
CEO Jean-Paul Driot added: “We’ve been GP2 champions for the last two years and we‘re hungry for more titles. We had to recruit drivers capable of keeping us at this level and that’s why I’m delighted that Marcus and Stephane have signed with us for 2013. Both have experience in GP2 and they’re bringing us a perfect combination of maturity and fieriness.
“I’m convinced that we’re going to enjoy another great season in GP2 with them.”
