On 24 January 2012 it was announced that d'Ambrosio would act as reserve driver for Lotus F1 ahead of the 2012 season and be present at all of the season's races along with drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean.
O 24 de xaneiro 2012, anunciouse que d'Ambrosio podería actuar como piloto de reserva de Lotus F1 antes da tempada de 2012 e estarí presente en todas as carreiras da tempada, xunto cos pilotos Kimi Räikkönen e Romain Grosjean.