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International Formula Master (IFM) leader Jerome D’Ambrosio cut through the pack in this afternoon’s race at Oschersleben to win at the German circuit and extend his considerable points lead.

The Belgian started third on the grid but did not settle for the points, instead proving his racer credentials by first passing Scuderia Famà’s Luca Persiani and then chasing down race leader Chris Van der Drift.

The pass, on lap 17, was a repeat of his first attempt to snatch the lead on three laps previously. In that instance, the Cram Competition driver swept his Formula S2000 out on the outside line of the first corner, turning tightly to squeeze past the Dutchman. Van der Drift, however, fought back re-passing the series leader at the next corner.

D’Ambrosio learnt his lesson and made the pass stick with four laps to go, going on to pull out a five second lead before the end of the race.

ADM Motorsport’s Norbert Siedler had a quiet race, starting in fourth and inheriting third as Persiani faded around mid-way. He eventually finished fifth after defending hard against a queue of drivers chasing the valuable points.

D’Ambrosio’s main title rival, Pablo Sanchez Lopez, did not make it to the chequered flag, retiring on lap 14. The result means D’Ambrosio now leads from Pablo Sanchez Lopez by 28 points with five races left.

Jerome D’Ambrosio, Cram Competition

“It’s never enough to just come second. We are racing drivers and we fight to get the best all the time. Even if you win you always try to find something to improve in your driving style and on the car and this is our strength.

It’s a great series and everything can happen with only five races to go so if you feel you can take the points you have go for it.

This year in IFM I’m racing against some very experienced drivers like Norbert (Siedler) and Chris (Van der Drift) and we know what we do. We don’t do any crazy manoeuvres to risk loosing points.”

Chris Van der Drift, J.D. Motorsport

“I didn’t have a good start but I managed to keep the guys behind me. Within two laps Jerome (D’Ambrosio) was right on my back and he was very fast. He was so much quicker and he would have got me anyway at some stage so I didn’t fight too much when he passed me into turn one.

I’m still happy to get second place and I’m just trying to make up positions and now to just finish on the podium again is good for the team.

Oschersleben is a difficult track to overtake but you never know what’s going to happen.”

Norbert Siedler, ADM Motorsport

“It’s only my second time I raced on this track. The race was quite good for us and it’s great to be on the podium again.

If I continue the way I’ve done so far I will be very happy. ADM Motorsport is one of the best teams in the IFM. I’m very experienced and if we keep going like this I can see myself finish in the top three at the end of the season.”

International Formula Master – Oschersleben

Round 11 results

1. Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition

2. Chris Van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport

3. Norbert Siedler (AUT), ADM Motorsport

4. Marcello Puglisi (ITA), Promotorsport

5. Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Fama

6. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition

7. Pierre Ragues (FRA), Euronova Racing

8. Marco Bonanomi (ITA), Euronova Racing

Lap-by-lap analysis

Lap 1: Terranova stranded on the grid. Andersen forced over the curbs into turn one but makes up one place

Lap 2: De Bruijn gets past Sanchez Lopez who seems to be struggling. Puglisi goes past Llobell

Lap 4: Siedler’s car appears to be smoking from the back. Ragues passes Bonanomi for eighth place

Lap 5: Andersen is up to 17 with Sanchez Lopez fading to 18 and Annala losing ground to Gatto and Cecotto Jr. from 10th

Lap 6: Graves and Terranova collide at turn 11 and both retire

Lap 7: Van der Drift pulls out a lead of 0.746 from Persiani

Lap 8: De Bruijn gets past Annala for 12th place and Andersen is up to 16th D’Ambrosio is pushing hard and looks to make a move on Persiani for second place

Lap 10:Provenzano passes Sanchez Lopez for 18th as Andersen makes up another place

Lap 11:D’Ambrosio gets past Persiani for second place. Frey loses out to Puglisi for fifth and Maulini comes into the pits

Lap 12: D’Ambrosio sets the fastest lap of the race at 1:23.093 and Andersen passes Annala

Lap 13: Puglisi passes Persiani at Hasseröder. D’Ambrosio takes 1.2s out of Van der Drift’s lead

Lap 14: D’Ambrosio takes the outside line around turn one but Van der Drift retakes the lead on the inside. Sanchez Lopez retires

Lap 15: The leading pair have a 5.4s lead over third-place Siedler

Lap 16: A queue is forming behind Persiani in fifth

Lap 17: D’Ambrosio takes the wide line around the outside of turn one taking the lead from Van der Drift and shutting the door to stop a repeat of lap 14

Lap 18: D’Ambrosio steps up a gear and pulls out a one second lead on Van der Drift

Lap 20: Cecotto Jr. spins at the first corner after diving down the inside of Frey for 10th place. He drops to 13th

Lap 21: D’Ambrosio has a five second lead

Eurosport’s coverage of IFM’s sixth race weekend will continue with race two on Sunday from 10.15 (CET) live on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport Asia-Pacific.

Live streaming will be available on www.eurosport.com and www.formulamaster.net.

For more information please visit www.formulamaster.net.