DAMS sets out GP2 plan

Lopez impressed with his performances in F3000 for CMS while Fauzy has made the step up to the new category, which replaces the FIA International F3000 Championship, from British F3.

"The level of Teams and drivers in this coming season is expected to be very high," said team owner Jean-Paul Driot. "DAMS is coming in to GP2 to win and we wanted to put together the maximum chances of success.

"Jose-Maria Lopez was part of our plans to make the best combination we could, and I am really delighted today to see him back in our team. Fairuz is young and talented, he has shown a great potential this season in England and this first season in GP2 will be the year to confirm at a higher level."

Lopez, who won the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 with DAMS, commented: "My ambition with DAMS in 2005 is very high. After the successes we had together in 2003 and the experience gained in F3000 this year I really hope to be in the front for this fantastic new championship."

Lopez and Fauzy will join DAMS for the first official test for the teams to run the new Dallara chassis at Paul Ricard on February 10-12.