DAMS - Kamui Kobayashi (7th) Jerome d'Ambrosio (DNF)

This weekend DAMS competed in the two races of the fifth round of the GP2 Asian Series Championship on the Sepang circuit that were curtain raisers to the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

With Jerome d'Ambrosio's pole and Kamui Kobayashi's fourth place on the grid, the team was hoping for an excellent result in race 1, which would have been decisive for the attribution of the 2009 titles. Unfortunately, fate struck DAMS a blow before the event even got under way, as d'Ambrosio was unable to start. The Belgian's car stopped for good after the formation lap due to a transmission problem. The GP2 Series engineers examined it and found the cause - a defective part that was almost new! This left Kamui as the only driver able to defend the team's colours, and thanks to an out-of-sequence strategy he finished second.

Today, a heavy shower hit the circuit a few minutes before the start of race 2, which was put back 20 minutes and was finally given behind the safety c ar. Kobayashi was able to get up to sixth place in these very difficult grip conditions allied to poor visibility. He held on to this until the final corner, and was passed at the finish line seeing the flag in seventh place. Jerome drove his heart out but as he was starting from the back of the field a good result was out of the question.

After the second-last round DAMS still leads the teams' classification with 70 points, while Kobayashi is still on top in the drivers' ratings with 13 points in hand over his nearest challenger. The next round is in Bahrain as part of the F1 grand prix meeting in 3 weeks time where the team hopes to clinch both titles.

Eric Boullier, team manager: "We've got mixed feelings after the fifth round. On the one hand, we're very happy to have bagged a lot of points thanks to Kamui, which helps us to close in on both 2009 titles. Despite that, we're gutted for Jerome who deserved to win yesterday and have a much better wee kend. At this level of competition being let down by a new mechanical component is very difficult to accept. He's proved his talent, and he'll certainly be one of the men to watch in the final round of the championship."

Kamui Kobayashi: "In the context of the championship which I'm still leading it hasn't been too bad a weekend. I scored several points and I'm well placed to win the title in Bahrain. I think it would have been possible to go for victory, but my bad position on the grid prevented me from doing so. Also, I'm frustrated not to have hung on to sixth place today. I lost it by a few centimetres. I'd like to thank the team for giving me an excellent car this weekend, and I hope to finish the season on a high note at the next event."

Jerome d'Ambrosio: "A stupid mechanical failure transformed what should have been a perfect weekend into a nightmare! I was unable to d efend my chances yesterday, as I didn't even start. Today, it was impossible for me to score points in normal conditions. I'm very disappointed but my aim is to bounce back at the next event. I'll show that my performance on Friday wasn't just a flash in the pan!"

Fisichella Motor Sport - Rodolfo Gonzalez (8th) Kevin Chen (DNF)

The fifth and penultimate round of the 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series took place this weekend in Malaysia as GP2 took to the Sepang Circuit as a support to the Formula One World Championship. Fisichella Motor Sport International fielded Rodolfo Gonzalez and Kevin Chen to face the challenge of the awesome 5.543km track, one hour from Kuala Lumpur.

Dams' Kamui Kobayashi set the pace in Friday morning's 30-minute free practice session, which was problem-free but held in stifling heat and humid weather conditions. Rodolfo competed 16 laps during the half hour, setting a fastest lap of 1:48.374s, which was 1.942s off the best lap of the morning. Kevin got 10 laps under his belt, setting a best time of 1:50.413. As qualifying loomed, rainfall overcame the circuit, making the beginning of the session a wet affair. Most cars therefore headed out later on in the session when the circuit was at its fastest and most dry. Rodolfo set a time of 1:46.053 to secure a seventh row starting spot from 14th. Kevin will begin from 25th after recording a lap of 1:49.642.

Saturday's 33 lap feature race was thankfully held in dry conditions which allowed the GP2 field to race cleanly. Rodolfo made steady progress throughout and crossed the line in tenth position, just two places outside of the points and an improvement of four positions from his starting slot. Kevin also made good progress, crossing the line in 20th, gaining five positions over the 33 laps.

Sunday's sprint race was a very different affair, held under heavy rainfall and in typical Malaysian stormy conditions. Starting from tenth position, Rodolfo was able to stay out of trouble on the treacherous track and cross the line after 22 laps in eighth position, again just outside of the points. Unfortunately Kevin was forced to retire on lap five.

The season finale will take place from 24-26 April at the Bahrain International Circuit, when GP2 Asia once again supports the F1 race.

Paolo Coloni, Team Principal: I'm very happy with the team's performance over the weekend and especially with Rodolfo today. He performed very well in difficult conditions, running in the top six for most of the time. It's a shame that we didn't come out of the race with a point. Nevertheless I am encouraged by the continual improvement and look forward to Bahrain now.

My Qi-Meritus.Mahara - Alvaro Parente (9th) Marco Bonanomi (14th)