Sepang - Round 1
Al Fardan proves masterful in season opener.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Bahrain's Hamed Al Fardan (Team Meritus) took victory today in the opening round of the Formula BMW Asia 2006 season with a masterful display of controlled, mature and skilled driving. Starting from 5th on the grid, Al Fardan beat of spirited challenges from BMW Junior James Grunwell (17/Team Meritus), and pole-sitter, Australian Sam Abay (18/Team E-Rain), who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Kiwi Earl Bamber (Team Meritus) was 4th home and second fastest Rookie, followed by the second placed BMW Junior, Daniel Ricciardo (16/Eurasia Motorsport).
Al Fardan, who contested two seasons in the series but had not been at the wheel of the car since the end of last year, found his Formula BMW Asia form when it mattered: "It went just the way I'd planned it. It was one of my best races ever. I admit I did made one mistake, but I had a good start and felt very confident."
Both Grunwell and Abay admitted they had learned much over the course of the 10-lap race. Said Grunwell: "It was a learning experience for both of us. I didn't get a good start, so I know I have to work on that. I made a mistake and went off at the exit of turn six, and Ricciardo was all over me, but I managed to open up a gap. Actually, I could have done with another five laps or so to challenge Hamed!"
Abay was also upbeat and thrilled to be on the podium after this maiden race: "You could really see Hamed's experience shine through. You learn so much from each race and you just have to grab all you can and carry it to the next one. It was a great result first time out. We didn't know where we'd place when we got here, so this is a good start to the season and I hope we can build on this. I can't wait to get back in the car!"
Al Fardan was on a charge right from the lights, working his way through the field to take the lead early on. However, the chasing pack was right behind him with Abay leading Grunwell until the closing stages when the Australian made a mistake and the Thai, who is on pole for tomorrow's race, sailed through to take 2nd.
Malaysian Aaron Lim's (Eurasia Motorsport) disappointing weekend continued with his 10th place finish as the set problem which has plagued him all week remained, however the team are working hard to ensure he is back on the pace for the race tomorrow .
Background:Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2006 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, 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 the FIA 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 2006, 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, Christian Klien and Nico Rosberg.
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."From 13th to 16th December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit hosted the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series competed against each other. The winner Marco Holzer will get a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
Round 1 Results.POS NO Driver/Nat Entrant Time1 38 Hamad AL FARDAN (BRN) Team Meritus 22:20.6832 68 *•James GRUNWELL (THA) Team Meritus +0.4913 98 Sam ABAY (AUS) Team E-Rain) +1.0444 78 •Earl BAMBER (NZL) Team Meritus +3.5945 3 *•Daniel RICCIARDO (AUS) Eurasia Motorsport +10.6246 61 #YOU Kyoung Ouk (KOR) Team E-Rain +14.1477 10 *•Dominic STOREY (NZL) Eurasia Motorsport +14.7838 5 Mohammed AL BAHARNA (BRN) Team E-Rain +17.2249 22 •Aditya AKKINENI (IND) Team E-Rain +22.12810 2 *Aaron LIM Say Joon (MAS) Eurasia Motorsport +22.72811 25 Zahir ALI (INA) Eurasia Motorsport +23.04512 28 •Rayomand BANAJEE (IND) Privateer +33.51913 8 #Mikko Petteri NASSI (MAS) Mikko Petteri Nassi +35.35414 88 •Ala'a KAYAL (KSA) Team Meritus 1 Lap*Scholarship driver•Rookie Cup# Non-Series Registered
Pole Position: Sam Abay/AUS/Team E-Rain/2:12.196Fastest Lap: James Grunwell/THA/Team Meritus/2:12.327
Provisional Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 1.1. Hamed Al Fardan (BRN/Team Meritus) 20 points; 2. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 15 points; 3. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 12 points; 4. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 10 points; 5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 8 points; 6. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport) 6 points; 7. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 4 points; 7. Aditya Akkineni (IND/Team E-Rain) 3 points; 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) 2 points; 9. Zahir Ali (INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 1 points.
Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 1.1. James Grunwell 20 points; 2. Earl Bamber 15 points; 3. Daniel Ricciardo 12 points; 4. Dominic Storey 10 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 8 points; 6. Ala'a Kayal 6 points.
Statistics:Winners 2006: Al Fardan (1)Pole Positions: Abay (1), Grunwell (1)Podiums: Al Fardan (1); Grunwell (1); Abay (1)Championship Points: 1. Al Fardan (20); 2. Grunwell (15); 2. Abay (12)Rookie Cup Winners: Grunwell (1)Rookie Cup Points: 1. Grunwell (20); 2. Bamber (15); 3. Ricciardo (12)
