GP2: Lynn, Gasly join DAMS

GP3 champion Alex Lynn (ABOVE) and Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up Pierre Gasly (LEFT) will drive for the title-winning DAMS squad in the 2015 GP2 season.

DAMS took Jolyon Palmer to last year's GP2 crown, having also fielded 2011 and '12 champions Romain Grosjean and Davide Valsecchi.

Lynn moves up after claiming the 2014 GP3 title with Carlin, and having made his Formula 1 testing debut with Lotus last winter.

"I am delighted to be racing with DAMS in 2015," said the 21-year-old Briton. "Their record in the last few years speaks for itself and there's nowhere else I wanted to be in GP2 – it's a fantastic opportunity for me and I'd like to thank them for giving me this break.

"My aim is to fight for the championship. It's a long time since anybody won GP2 in their first year, but if we can get off to a solid start there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to fight for wins and podiums straight away."

His 18-year-old French teammate Gasly dominated post-season testing with DAMS after finishing second to fellow Red Bull protege Carlos Sainz Jr. in FR3.5 last year.

"The first tests we did together in Abu Dhabi really boosted my confidence," said Gasly, who also contested the final rounds of the 2014 GP2 season with Caterham. "I felt at home in the team and I hit it off with all the guys straight away so I was on the pace from day one.

"GP2 is a very competitive championship and I know I'm going to have to do a lot of hard work. Obviously my aim is the drivers' title. I'm in the best team and I'll have the resources to achieve this objective."

Although no rookie has won a GP2 championship since Nico Hulkenberg in 2009, DAMS boss Jean-Paul Driot said he had plenty of faith in his highly rated new signings.

"Obviously our aim is to keep our titles and I'm delighted to welcome Pierre Gasly and Alex Lynn to the team," he said. "It's the youngest driver lineup we've ever had in GP2, but we've got two exceptionally talented guys who have a great future ahead of them.

"Although the overall level in the championship will again be very high, I'm confident that with these drivers DAMS will prove worthy of its rank."