One-two finish for Bahrain in ThailandSalman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) got his championship bid right back on track today, taking a perfect pole to chequered flag victory in Round 6 of Formula BMW Asia. Right behind him in second was fellow countryman, and winner of the previous round, Hamed Al Fardan (Team Meritus), repeating the pair's result in Round 3 in Malaysia in May. Third was BMW Junior, Michael Patrizi (AUS/Team Meritus), taking his second podium finish of the day.
The result strengthens Al Khalifa's hold on the championship leaderboard, giving him a lead of 22 points over second-placed Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus), with Al Fardan just four points adrift of the Malaysian in third, replacing Thailand's Robert Boughey (Team Meritus).The weekend was a rollercoaster ride for Al Khalifa who had a disappointing qualifying session for Round 5, and failed to finish the race, took pole for Round 6 and didn't put a wheel wrong.
The 20-lap race was certainly eventful, and sadly not one to remember for Boughey, Thailand's only entry in the series. On the opening lap, Boughey got it badly wrong and hit the tyre wall while running in 5th. He emerged unhurt, but the red flag was brought out. At the re-start, Al Khalifa was once again away clear, and Al Fardan was unable to catch him despite his best efforts. Behind them, Patrizi took promising youngster and BMW Junior Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain), and held him off to the flag.
Third fastest Rookie was Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus).Rounds 7 and 8 of Formula BMW Asia will be held at Beijing's Goldenport Circuit
Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series will be held in Germany, Britain, Asia and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers as young as 15-years-old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.
This racing car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds by far the safety requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport has developed the FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat especially for Formula BMW. The HANS safety system is also mandatory.
In 2005, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and Christian Klien.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Programme we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out of the blocks to become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."
In December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get a Formula One test drive.
Round 6 Results.POS -NO -Driver/Nat -Entrant -Time1 -7 -Salman Rashid AL KHALIFA (BAH)-Team E-Rain: 17:12.5822 -38 -Hamed AL FARDAN (BAH) -Team Meritus: +0.5553 -29 -?*Michael Tony PATRIZI (AUS) -Team Meritus: +0.8064 -17 -?*Armaan EBRAHIM (IND) -Team E-Rain: +1.0705 -88 -?Charlie-Ro CHARLEZ (MAS) -Team Meritus: +11.0446 -2 -?Aaron LIM Say Joon (MAS) -Minardi Team Asia: +11.3617 -61 -?*AN Suk-Won (KOR) -Team E-Rain: +21.8938 -4 -?Dejan de ZOYSA (SRI) -Minardi Team Asia: +24.0619 -22 -Jonathan CHAN (HKG) -Minardi Team Asia: +50.68210 -58 -Mitsunobu ENDO (JPN) -Team Meritus: +54.70211 -9 -?*WANG Jian-Wei (CHN) -Ao's Racing Team: 1 lapDNF -68 -*Robert BOUGHEY (THA) -Team Meritus: -*Scholarship driver?Rookie Cup# Non-Series Registered
Fastest Lap: Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 1:01.841/139.713kph
Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 6:
1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 88 points, 2. Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 65 points, 3. Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 61, 4. Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 60 points, 5. Robert Boughey (THA/Team Meritus) 52 points, 6. Michael Patrizi (AUS/Team Meritus) 49 points, 7. An Suk-Won (KOR/Team E-Rain) 32 points, 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Minardi Team Asia) 32 points, 9. Wang Jian-Wei (CHN/Ao's Racing Team) 13 points, 10. Mitsunobu Endo (JPN/Team Meritus) 13 points, 11. Dejan de Zoysa (SRI/Minardi Team Asia) 11 points, 12. Jonathan Chan (HKG/Minardi Team Asia) 10 points.
Rookie Cup Standings after Round 6:1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 94 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 82 points, 3. Michael Patrizi 73 points, 4. An Suk Won 58 points, 5. Aaron Lim 49 points, 6. Wang Jian-Wei 40 points, 7. Dejan de Zoysa 26 points.
Statistics
Winners 2005: Al Khalifa (3), Boughey (1), Ebrahim (1), Al Fardan (1)Pole Positions: Al Khalifa (5), Michael Patrizi (1)Podiums: Al Khalifa (5), Charlez (3), Boughey (2), Al Baharna (1), Patrizi (3), Al Fardan (3), Ebrahim (1)Championship Points: 1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 88 points, 2. Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 65 points, 3. Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 61, 4. Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 60 points, 5. Robert Boughey (THA/Team Meritus) 52 pointsRookie Cup Winners: Charlez (2), Ebrahim (2) Patrizi (2)Rookie Cup Points: 1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 94 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 82 points, 3. Michael Patrizi 73 points
