Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG sealed a perfect weekend after concluding Formula Masters China Series’ Chinese Taipei debut with six podiums; highlighting Martin Rump’s three commanding victories out of three races at Penbay International Circuit. The Hong Kong-based outfit, represented by Rump, Nicholas Rowe and Star Racing Academy’s Jeffrey Ye and Sean Zheng successfully rounded off the Asian championship’s triple-header, with each driver delivering top results throughout the event.
The Estonian driver scored his first Formula Masters hat trick after qualifying on pole for all three races and triumphantly finishing the challenges with wins. Rump’s flawless weekend at Penbay underlined an outstanding display of pace and skill in the Volkswagen-powered Tatuus FA010. The nineteen-year-old racer’s tenacity also translated into setting a record-breaking lap time of 1:36.501 during his maiden outing on the four-year old track. Rump currently leads the championship’s overall Drivers standings with 136 points.
Nicholas Rowe was also on a roll after clinching three podiums at Penbay’s highly technical 3.527km configuration. After securing grid positions in the top three for all three races, the Australian driver’s impressive performance over the weekend was a significant step forward. Rump scored valuable championship points which elevates him to third place in Formula Masters’ Drivers’ leaderboard with 74 points.
It also proved to be a successful weekend for the Star Racing Academy duo Jeffrey Ye and Sean Zheng after emerging as top performing Chinese drivers at Penbay. Ye, who concluded all three races in the top ten, now leads the Chinese Drivers Classification with 107 points. Meanwhile, his compatriot, seventeen-year-old Zheng steadily made headway in Formula Masters third event and completed Race 8 as the best Chinese finisher.
Nicholas Rowe: “We had a very strong weekend in Penbay and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made. It was a really good weekend for me and I learnt a lot myself. The team really helped out, I learned a lot from Martin and overall I am looking forward to the next weekend.”
Martin Rump: “I’m really happy with the performance of the team throughout this weekend. Hopefully we can transfer it into the next round as well. The car has been just amazing. It was a twisty and difficult circuit, so a good challenge for all of us, and it was just great to come out with the three victories and I think that sets us up well for the rest of the series.”
Jeffrey Ye: “My team and the SRA have taught me a lot and I am grateful for their support. I am learning all the time and this weekend has been my best so far. My aim now is just to keep learning and to keep improving.”
Sean Zheng: “I think my performance today was quite good and consistent. I am satisfied that I have moved up a few places. There is room for improvement in car controlling but I am learning as I go and I am happy with how far I have improved so far some this season.”
John O’Hara, KCMG Deputy Managing Director: “This weekend was a successful one and marks a significant accomplishment for the team. Developing our drivers in Formula Masters has always been our main objective and I’m satisfied that all four have made significant progress at Penbay. We have now taken over the team and drivers’ overall standings with an extended advantage. Martin, Nicholas, Jeffrey and Sean have once again demonstrated that they are talented drivers, and more so, proved this on an unfamiliar circuit. We look forward to the next event in Kuala Lumpur and we aim to carry this strong form as we advance further into the season.”
Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG currently sits on top of the championship’s overall Team standings with 204 points.
