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“It’s been great to develop this car,” said D’Ambrosio, who recently announced he will be racing in GP2 in 2008. “It will be superb for the drivers. The engine is easier to use because you have more torque so the car will be even better to drive; more natural.”

Less predictable was the continuingly impressive performance of Formula Master rookie Yuji Sekiguchi, formerly of Japanese Formula 3, who was D’Ambrosio’s quickest counterpart today in Italy.

“Basically the car is much nicer to drive than what I’m used to,” said the Japanese driver, who is presently discussing his next career step. “It has a lot more grip so is physically harder, but much faster.

“It is no problem for me to race outside Japan. I like to come to Europe because I know that is the way to Formula one and I will have to come here sooner rather than later.”

Sekiguchi was racing with Euronova Racing, which bagged the top five times today excluding D’Ambrosio. “He is a really good driver,” said Team Manager Vincenzo Sospiri, talking about Sekiguchi’s performance. “He came for a test at Monza and he was very fast straight away. Here, he didn’t know the track and yesterday he was second fastest and today he was much faster than anyone else.

“Of course, I would love him to race with us in 2008. We spoke with his people that look after him today and they are really happy. His main target is to do the Formula Master and we hope he comes to us after his performance today.”

Driver plans for 2008 are coming through thick and fast now as two of the 2007 Formula Master class confirmed their continued participation. Third-placed Pablo Sanchez Lopez and race winner Arturo LLobell will compete with Cram Competition. 

D'Ambrosio completed 75 laps of the Vallelunga track today with no reliability issues. 

D'Ambrosio in the pits at Vallelunga

Formula Master – Vallelunga winter testing

1. Jérôme D’Ambrosio (BEL), Formula Master 2008 car, 1:27.248

2. Yuji Sekiguchi (JAP), Euronova Racing, 1:27.959

3. Daniel Mancinelli (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:28.284

4. Federico Rossi (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:28.717

5. Fabrizio Crestani (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:28.823

6. Michael Meadows, (GBR), Euronova Racing, 1:28.865

7. Vladimir Arabadzhiev (BUL), JD Motorsport, 1:28.867

8. Norbert Siedler (AUT), ADM Motorsport, 1:28.881

9. Paul Meijer (NED), AR Motorsport, 1:28.956

10. Salvatore De Plano (ITA), Euronova Racing, 1:29.161

11. Mattia Pavoni (ITA), J.D. Motorsport, 1:29.562

12. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, 1:30.798

13. Tomas Pivoda (CZE), ADM Motorsport, 1:31.627