Hill and Bourdais to race with DAMS

PARIS, January 26, 2001 - International Formula 3000 Championship stalwart DAMS from France has announced today it will run Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais and American Derek Hill in this year's championship, starting on March 31st in Brazil.

Sébastien Bourdais was one of last year's stars in the series, when in his debut season the talented young man from Le Mans managed to start from the first row twice and finish on the podium in the French Grand Prix. "He only became a free agent less than two weeks ago, as everybody - including Sébastien - was under the assumption he was contracted to another team. When it became clear he wasn't, I didn't hesitate a minute to sign him on," team principal Jean-Paul Driot explains.

Bourdais, a former French F3 Champion, is equally pleased: "For a moment it looked a bit scary for this year, but I am extremely pleased to be part of the DAMS team for 2001."

The team's second car will be driven by American Derek Hill, son of the great Formula 1 Champion, Phil Hill. Having spent his early career in the States, he made the move to Europe in 1999, competing in Formula Palmer Audi and the Italian F3000 Championship in 2000. The highlight of his career so far was winning the Barber-Dodge Pro Series in 1997. "Derek is the up and coming talent in the States, and I am sure he will live up to all the expectations his famous last name incurs," Jean-Paul Driot explains. "His level of professionalism is immense and I think these two drivers can and will create quite a few surprises throughout the season."

"I am very pleased to be joining DAMS. They are a very professional Team and have a great history in F3000. They have worked with some of the very best drivers. I am sure I will learn a lot from them during the season," said Derek on signing.

DAMS was founded in 1988 and has become the most successful team in the history of the International F3000 Championship. It has won 22 races and three titles, in 1990 (with Eric Comas), in 1993 (with Olivier Panis) and in 1994 (with Jean-Christophe Bouillon).

<pre> Sébastien Bourdais Digest

1996 : Winner "24 Hours of Le Mans" Karting

1997 : Vice-Champion French Formula Renault (4 wins, 11 podiums, 5 pole positions)

1998 : Winner "Trophée Enjolras" - Sixth overall in French F3 Championship

1999 : French F3 Champion (8 wins, 11 podiums, 3 pole positions) Le Mans 24 Hours (Larbre Competition Porsche GT2, with J-P Jarler) 2000 : 9th overall International F3000 Championship (1 pole, 1 podium) 4th in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Courage-Peugeot)

Derek Hill Digest

1990-1994 : Karting

1995 : Formula Dodge Series Champion 2nd overall US Ferrari Challenge Championship

1996 : Barber-Dodge Pro series Rookie of the Year

1997 : Barber-Dodge Pro series champion Winner GTS3 class/Daytona 24 Hours Winner GTS3 class/Sebring 12 Hours Winner GTS3 class/Lime Rock Winner GTS3 class/Mosport

1998 : Kool/Toyota Atlantic Championship Series (PacWest/Motorola P1 racing)

1999 : Formula Palmer Audi

2000 : Italian F3000 Championship

-DAMS