D'Ambrosio to replace Grosjean at Monza

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Lotus have confirmed reserve driver Jerome D'Ambrosio will replace the banned Romain Grosjean for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Grosjean was punished severely for sparking a four car pile-up at the start of Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix that also took out the Ferrari of championship leader Fernando Alonso, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Sauber of Sergio Perez.
Team principal Eric Boullier confirmed immediately after the stewards had handed out the ban he was "80% certain" Belgian D'Ambrosio would partner Kimi Raikkonen at Monza.
Boullier has now firmly made up his mind, ensuring D'Ambrosio will line up in a race for the first time since the end of last season when he drove for Virgin Racing, now Marussia.
A delighted D'Ambrosio said: "My desire for 2012 has always been to get back into the seat of a Formula One, car so I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands.
"As third driver, I have worked with the team at every grand prix, attending all the briefings and meetings that the race drivers do, so I am well prepared in this respect.
"I want to reward the faith the team has in me with a good haul of points from the race."
Boullier is convinced D'Ambrosio has the talent, and with the car beneath him as Raikkonen is currently fourth in the standings, is expecting the 26-year-old to deliver.
"When we signed Jerome as our third driver we signed a man who is highly motivated, fresh, talented and who contested the full 2011 season," said Boullier.
"Now he has the challenge of a grand prix at the challenging circuit of Monza, in a car which is capable of finishing on the podium."