Sergio Sette Camara took the final Feature Race win of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 season from pole position under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi, sealing the teams’ championship for DAMS which the French squad has dedicated to its late founder Jean-Paul Driot. Formula 1-bound Nicholas Latifi led a double podium finish for the Le Mans-based outfit in the Sprint Race.
Sergio Sette Camara: “We were fastest in free practice and qualifying, and we had a good car for Saturday so I took my first Feature Race win. We progressed well from eighth on Sunday too, coming through the field to take a podium so it’s been a really strong weekend. I’m very happy with the teams’ title and I almost challenged Luca Ghiotto and Nicky for a higher position in the drivers’ championship but it just was not enough.”
Nicholas Latifi: “Coming into this weekend we had two big objectives: take the teams’ title and secure my vice champion position in the drivers’ standings so we’re extremely happy to do both. I got unlucky in qualifying with a yellow flag during my final lap, so we should have been higher up, but I was happy with my performance in the Feature Race. Sergio had priority for the pit stop because he was ahead so I lost some time and seventh was the best I could manage having come through the field. I hoped for a clean Sprint Race and I did just that to take second. This marks the end of my time in F2, and with DAMS after four years. Nothing could make me happier than playing a part in rewarding them with the teams’ championship in my final season. I wish Jean-Paul was here to see it and celebrate with us all. This one is for him and all the guys, they deserve it.”
François Sicard, DAMS Managing Director: “It’s been an extraordinary end to the season for the entire team. We had a great weekend, finishing 1-2 in practice and Sergio confirmed his pace in qualifying with an incredible pole. It was a magnificent Feature Race victory for him, fending off the drivers on the alternate strategy. Unfortunately, we had to stack our two drivers in the pit stop to avoid Nicky losing more time doing another lap with the high tyre wear, costing him 11 seconds. He did fantastically to finish seventh which put him on the front row for the Sprint Race. Both drove a strong race to claim another double podium for the team.
“It was clearly our objective to win the teams’ title, especially with the passing of Jean-Paul in the summer, and there is no better way to salute his memory than by sealing it in style with a victory. Many thanks to both drivers, finishing second and fourth in the drivers’ standings. They and the team did a fantastic job.
“A special word for Nicky, we raced together for the last time after four years together so this is very emotional. He’s been an exceptionally hard worker and we brought a lot to each other. He always believed in us and his vice champion status is thoroughly deserved. We wish him the best for the future, I am sure he will bring a lot to Williams in F1 next year.”
Nicholas Latifi will become the 32nd DAMS driver to make the step up to Formula 1, signing with ROKiT Williams Racing for 2020. Continue reading Latifi becomes 32nd DAMS driver to reach F1 with Williams signing
Nissan e.dams showcased strong pace in the opening rounds for season six of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship this weekend, scoring a fourth-place finish in the Diriyah opener.
Continue reading Strong pace for Nissan e.dams in opening Formula E rounds
Nissan e.dams has not only updated its livery for season six of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, which gets underway at the Diriyah circuit in Saudi Arabia (22-23 November), but revamped the car’s powertrain for the upcoming challenge.
Continue reading Nissan e.dams heads to Formula E opener in Diriyah with updated powertrain
Nissan e.dams’ Formula E car will don a new, Japan-inspired look as it returns for another season of the electric street racing series to demonstrate the power and performance of the company’s EV technology.
Continue reading Nissan e.dams 2019/20 Formula E car gets new Kimono-themed look
Nissan e.dams will be back on the track alongside the team’s Formula E rivals next week at the all-electric street racing championship’s official pre-season test in Valencia, Spain. Continue reading Nissan e.dams to hit the track at Formula E pre-season test
The 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship calendar has been confirmed, featuring a new event at Zandvoort in the Netherlands as part of the 12-round season. Eight will take place in Europe with four flyaways. Continue reading 2020 Formula 2 calendar revealed
DAMS had a challenging FIA Formula 2 Championship weekend at Monza as contact in both races for Sergio Sette Camara and Nicholas Latifi denied the team potential podiums and a valuable opportunity to close the gap in the drivers’ championship.
Sergio Sette Camara: “It’s been a difficult weekend. I made a mistake in the Feature Race and received a time penalty so only scored fifth, there was definitely more on the table. Today I was hit from behind twice, first by Luca Ghiotto at the start and later he caused Nyck de Vries to give me a puncture. This is frustrating because we should have been on the podium. We didn’t get the most out of Monza, but the aim is to score maximum points in Sochi.”
Nicholas Latifi: “This weekend was a good opportunity to take some points out of the drivers’ championship lead as Nyck de Vries was excluded from qualifying. Unfortunately that wasn’t capitalised on. I had a collision on Saturday which lost me my front wing and the result meant I started 13th for the Sprint Race and undid the rest of the event. We need to take the lessons we’ve learned and come back stronger in Sochi.”
The 11th round of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship will take place in Sochi, Russia on 27-29 September.
Photos: Dutch Photo Agency
Nissan e.dams drivers Sebastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland will return for the next season of the Formula E electric street racing series after a record-setting debut run. Continue reading Nissan e.dams' record-setting drivers to return for new Formula E season