Former GP2 champion Romain Grosjean believes that his former team DAMS has got even better following its second-consecutive title with Davide Valsecchi.
Current Lotus Formula 1 driver Grosjean was drafted in at DAMS in mid-2010. He was then tasked by his management – led by F1 team boss Eric Boullier – with helping the French squad get on top of the new-for-2011 GP2 car. Grosjean did just that to help DAMS to its first title in the GP2 main championship last year, and he believes that the team stepped up another level to win a second crown in 2012.
"I think I helped, yes, but they kept working this year," Grosjean said. "They improved themselves. "Qualifying was much better this year and they kept the race pace [from 2011]. They did a good job. I helped them last year, but then they flew with their own wings."
Grosjean added that he followed the team's progress closely this year, including the races in Singapore where the drivers' and teams' championships were won.
"It means a lot to see DAMS win," he said. "I still feel part of the team in a way. They won the drivers' championship and I ran straight to see them, then on Sunday it was the same story with the teams' title. I was really stressed watching it on the TV, thinking, 'Don't get overtaken!'
"The experience we lived last year was beautiful, and I still have a very good relationship with them. So it means quite a lot to me."