Lotus has announced that Jerome D'Ambrosio has joined the team as its third driver for the 2012 season.

D'Ambrosio, who contested last year's season with Marussia Virgin, will attend all races in 2012, working with the race driver pairing of Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean. The 26 year-old Belgian will be ready to stand-in for either of the two race drivers if required.

"It's a great feeling to be joining Lotus," said the Belgian. "It's an exciting next step in my career. I contested a complete season in F1 as a race driver for a smaller team where I learnt a lot about Formula 1. Now, I have the opportunity to work with one of the top teams with great potential for my future development. With my recent race experience, I know I can make a valuable contribution. Of course, I would love to be racing, but racing with a top team. Being associated with Lotus F1 Team should be more beneficial and this is the choice I have made. This opportunity is one I couldn't afford to miss. My desire to get back in a race seat in the future is motivating me to do the best job possible in my new position."

"To have a third driver who is highly motivated, fresh and talented and who contested the full 2011 season is highly beneficial for us," added Eric Boullier. "In Jerome we have someone we know well who integrates beneficially with the squad. He impressed as reserve driver for us in 2010 and at the end of that year he made a strong showing in the young driver test. He also showed strongly in his rookie season as an F1 race driver. I am looking forward to working with Jerome again and think he is a perfect addition to our driving strength."