LOTUS F1 Team third driver Jerome D’Ambrosio is determined to make the most of his big chance in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza tomorrow.

The 26-year-old Belgian steps in for the Enstone-based outfit as a replacement for Romain Grosjean, who is serving a one-race ban after sparking a fou- car pile-up in last Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

D’Ambrosio said: “My desire for 2012 has always been to get back into the seat of a Formula 1 car, so I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands.

“Monza is a superb circuit, but it is also quite a technical one, so I am not underestimating the task ahead of me. “I want to reward the faith that the team has in me with a good haul of points from the race.”

Meanwhile, Pastor Maldonado is aiming to prove worthy of his status as the Grove-based Williams team leader and keep his nose clean for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old Venezuelan has been penalised on ten occasions this season by the stewards, including three times in the Belgian Grand Prix.

“I am leading the team and I need to respond,” said Maldonado.

“I have been penalised quite a lot. I need to try to do something different to stay away from the stewards, and I am doing my best.”

  • CHIPPING Norton’s Alice Powell, heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix 3 after finishing 18th and 12th in her two races for the Status Grand Prix team at Spa-Francorchamps.