KUALA LUMPUR: Meritus GP Team (Meritus) will try out Malaysia’s budding driver Mohd Afiq Ikhwan Mohamad Yazid when the Formula BMW Pacific 2010 new season starts at Sepang International Circuit this weekend.
For 18-year-old Afiq, the first Malaysian driver to receive Meritus’ “single-seater racing scholarship”, it will be his baptism of fire.
The deal with Meritus started when his father Mohamad Yazid Mustafa sent an e-mail to Meritus GP co-owner Firhat Mokhzani last February and furnished him with Afiq’s previous go-kart championship results.
Yazid, a motorsports fan, was just taking a chance and never dreamt his efforts would see his son through.
“Afiq was determined for the trial and did his best and succeeded. He was given the opportunity to sign up for the scholarship,” Yazid told reporters after the announcement of the Meritus-GP scholarship by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here on Tuesday.
Afiq who was awarded the Rotax Max Go-kart Rookie of the Year 2007 said: “If possible I would like to win the race. If not, I would aim to be in the top three.”
“I am glad that I have the opportunity to race with 24 other racers from all over the world. Sepang (April 2-4) will be my first time racing on my home circuit.
“I promise to do the best for the country. This is my first step towards becoming a Formula 1 driver,” said Afiq who admires F1 legend Ayrton Senna.
On his preparation for his debut race, Afiq said he had undergone a month’s training with the team.
“The training started in February and I was trained by the Meritus GP team. It was tough,” he said.
“Besides learning about the driving technique, we also underwent physical training at the gymnasium,” he said.
Besides Afiq, the team’s other members for 2010 season include Colombian Oscar Tunjo (14), Indonesian Dustin Sofyan (15) and Thai Pasin Lathouras (16).
Meritus GP have helped develop Malaysian motorsports and unearthed champions Ng Wai Leong (Formula Asia in 2000) and Jazeman Jaafar (Formula BMW Asia 2007).
Round 1 will kick off this Saturday. It is one of the support races for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. — Bernama