In probably one of the most exciting weeks of his life so far, Shanghai-born driver Han Han first clinched the final Formula BMW Asia scholarship and then made an impressive series debut on April 4 at the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.
The 21-year-old was chosen following a scholarship qualifying course conducted at the end of February, and joins four other lucky youngsters who will benefit from both a US$ 50,000 contribution to the cost of the racing season, plus a full Education and Coaching programme, designed to create skilled, professional young single seater pilots. The programme includes Driving Skills & Tactics, Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Setup, Fitness Training & Nutrition, Media Training & Public Relations and Sponsorship & Sports Management, and is provided by a team of experts from the field of international motorsport.
Han Han, 21, is competing this season with the E-Rain Racing team and made a convincing start to his campaign finishing seventh in Round 1, beating all other drivers making their single seater debuts at the weekend. This was a superb result against a field which includes competitors with far greater motorsport experience, both in the Formula BMW Asia series and at an international level. He was second quickest of the scholarship drivers, beaten only by team mate You Kyong-Ouk of Korea who has an entire Formula BMW Asia season already under his belt having won the Rookie Cup in 2003.
"It is incredible to see how professionally everybody works in the Formula BMW Asia series," said Han Han. "The new circuit in Bahrain is amazing - quick and also very technical."
"For me, the most important thing was to learn, and I think because of the great support of my E-Rain Racing team, my improvement was quite good. After every briefing and debriefing with our scholarship instructor, Ralf Kalaschek, I tried to test out and improve my newly-learned skills."
Han Han has already built a strong relationship with both his new team and team mate. "As I know motorsport only as a rally driver I am used to working as part of a team, so I am really happy that I joined E-Rain Racing with my experienced team mate (You) Kyoung-Ouk. As his is the Rookie Cup champion from last year, I learned a lot from him and our team is like a new family to me. I am very proud that we are the best ranked scholarship drivers at the moment."
In Round 2, Han Han finished in 10th position, and his performance at the weekend gave a clear indication of a promising season ahead for this undoubtedly talented young driver.
Han Han is already known in China as an author, and last year competed in the China National Rally Championship, finishing in sixth place. With all eyes on Shanghai this year as it hosts China's first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix, he will be looking to excel this season and take full advantage of the benefits of the Formula BMW scholarship programme.
"I am so happy to have won a Formula BMW Asia scholarship and that I was able to impress the instructors," said Han. "I believe the series offers a great opportunity for young drivers to get in touch with international motorsport."
The next two rounds of the series will be held in Malaysia at Sepang International Circuit on May 9. The series will also visit Thailand, Korea and Japan, but it is the China rounds that Han Han is particularly looking forward when the series visits Beijing's Goldenport Circuit and is a support race for the Shanghai Formula 1 Grand Prix. "I am looking forward to the races in China," he said. "As I was born in Shanghai and am living in Beijing, I will have two races in my home towns where I have a lot of friends. I hope there will not be too much pressure, but it will be a great opportunity to show what a Chinese driver can do in these cars."
The impressive BMW single seater machine empty weighs 455 kilogrammes. A 140 bhp BMW four-cylinder engine propels the car to speeds of up to 230 km/h (143 mph).
The Formula BMW Asia Series runs as part of the Asia Festival of Speed (AFOS), the region's leading motorsport series, organized by Motorsport Asia Limited.
