Mika Hakkinen, two times Formula 1 World Champion, will join Erebus Motorsport in ChinaHakkinen will share Erebus Motorsport's Bathurst 12 Hour winning SLS AMG GT3 with a young Chinese racerMatt Solomon will have the opportunity of a lifetime when he drives Erebus Motorsport's SLS AMG GT3 with Mika HakkinenGerman, Lance David Arnold will drive the second Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3 in Zhuhai
Two times Formula 1 World Champion, Mika Hakkinen will join Erebus Motorsport for the GT Asia event at Zhuhai in China (October 11-13) - the event coupling as a launchpad for the AMG Customer Sports program into the Chinese market.
The winner of 20 Formula 1 Grands Prix will race the Bathurst 12 Hour winning SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing, which has been shipped to China with its sister car for a two race campaign.
To add further significance to the historic event, AMG China has appointed a 17-year-old Hong Kong Chinese driver - Matthew Solomon - to share the Gullwing with Hakkinen in an apprentice role.
Hakkinen’s global experience - which saw him win two Formula 1 World Championships in Mercedes-Benz powered cars - will be used to train the young driver.
This milestone is a first in the Chinese market for the AMG Customer Sports brand and will provide a blueprint for future motorsport endeavours in the market.
To have a driver with Hakkinen’s experience and instantly recognisable global profile join Erebus Motorsport is another significant step forward for the team that itself was inaugurated in 2011.
Erebus Motorsport’s series of firsts include having the first Gullwing delivered outside Europe, the first team one-two finish for AMG Customer Sports and added victory in the Bathurst 12 Hour to the 2013 Endurance Classics Grand Slam wins by the SLS AMG GT3 (Bathurst, the Dubai 24 Hour, the Nurburgring 24 Hour and the Spa 24 Hour - each with Bernd Schneider behind the wheel).
The second Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3 will be driven by experienced AMG Customer Sports pilot, Lance David Arnold. The 27-year-old partnered Hakkinen in a Gullwing on his previous visit to Zhuhai in 2011.
Erebus Motorsport will be aiming to add to the 100-plus victories by the AMG Customer Sports program since its inception in 2011.
The two event program will see Erebus Motorsport enter the support race to the 60th Macau Grand Prix in November.
Partnership opportunities to be part of the Erebus Motorsport effort in China and Macau are available. CLICK HERE for more information.
DRIVER PROFILES:
MIKA HAKKINEN
Born: September 28, 1968 (44)Height: 1.79mWeight: 70kgNationality: FinnishLives: MonacoStatus: Unmarried
161 Formula 1 races for Lotus (1991, 1992) and McLaren (1993-2001)1998 & 1999 Formula 1 World Driver’s Champion (McLaren)20 Formula 1 Grand Prix wins51 Formula 1 Grand Prix podiums26 Formula 1 Pole Positions25 Formula 1 Fastest Laps3 DTM round wins (in 2005 and 2007)1987 Nordic Formula Ford Champion1990 British Formula 3 Champion
LANCE DAVID ARNOLD
Born: June 8, 1986 (27)Height: 1.82mWeight: 71kgNationality: GermanLives: Duisberg, GermanyStatus: Unmarried
2004 VW Polo Cup Germany Rookie of the Year2005 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany Rookie of the Year2005-2007 Porsche Carrera Cup2009-2011 Porsche Supercup2011-2012 SLS AMG GT3 with HEICO Motorsport (VLN, GT Masters, 3rd at 24h Nurburgring) 2013 AMG Customer Sports Driver (VLN, 4th at 24h Nurburgring, 24h Spa, 1st at 6h Nurburgring)
MATTHEW SOLOMON
Born: 19th Feb 1996 (17)Height: 170 cmWeight: 62 kgEthnicity: Eurasian, Hong Kong ChineseLives: Hong Kong
2013 Formula Masters China Series - 15 races completed with 3 podiums including fastest lap Zhuhai2013 Track record in testing Formula Pilota Sepang2013 Fastest time in testing Misano Italy Formula Renault2013 current leader Hong Kong Kart Club Championship2013 Winner HKKC Championship Round 22012 Grand Champion Hong Kong International Kart Grand Prix2012 1st Rotax Max Kota Japan2011 2nd CIK Asia Pacific KF3 Championship2011 Awarded Hong Kong Top Driver2009 1st Philippines National ROK Cup Novice2009 7th in CIK FIA KF3 Asia Pacific Championship2008 2nd in Junior Max AKOC Championship2008 Competed in 3 rounds of the Philippines SOKC with podium finishes in each round2008 Hong Kong Junior Champion2007 Voted Hong Kong's "Most improved driver"2007 Hong Kong Junior ChampionCommenced Karting at age 11
