text:
Status GP racer Stockinger takes fourth in Monza Italy
Read the complete article HERE |
Status GP's Stockinger narrowly misses top 10 in dramatic GP3 race
GP3 Series weekend at Hockenheim, Germany. |
Stockinger in the top 10 for Status Grand Prix at Valencia
Valencia, 23rd June 2012 |
Marlon Stockinger, who started the race from seventh on the grid, and Alice Powell, who lined up 11th, unfortunately came together as the field funneled into a narrow sequence of turns – Powell had got caught on oil being dropped by the car immediately in front and was powerless to prevent herself sliding into her team-mate. |
Stockinger and Powell both in the top 10 for Status Grand Prix at Valencia |
Filipino-Swiss Stockinger completed the 45 minutes of running in seventh position, while Powell was ninth fastest, making her the quickest of the three UK drivers in the field. |
Filipino-Swiss Stockinger takes his first GP3 win with Status GP in the streets of Monaco
Stockinger takes his first GP3 win with Status GP in the streets of Monaco!
Filipino-Swiss ace Marlon Stockinger made history by winning the dramatic second GP3 Series race of the weekend in Monte Carlo with the Status Grand Prix team. |
Late News: Marlon Stockinger set the fastest lap of the race
"There was a hydraulic pressure alert as I came up to the grid. My start was very good – I made up a couple of positions – but I was stuck in first gear. I had to shut off and restart everything to get the car going. After that it was pretty good and the fastest lap shows we had very good pace. It's a shame I couldn't use that raw speed to fight for points or even a podium, but the speed we have is positive for the rest of the season." MORE @
Photos Below: Marlon Stockinger celebrates on the podium |
Late NEWS: Stockinger takes second place with Status GP in Barcelona GP3 opener Barcelona, 12th May 2012
Stockinger takes second place with Status GP in Barcelona GP3 opener |
Stuck on Stöckinger...Is the first Filipino F1 driver among us already?
NOT just for the looks, Marlon Stöckinger is
touted to be the brightest driving talent to emerge
from the Philippines in two decades.
There already is a pile of published material on this handsome Filipino-Swiss driver. We know that he was born and raised in the Philippines. His Swiss father is businessman and racing fanatic Tom Stöckinger, his mother Egin San Pedro. His career, now being managed by the principal of the F1 Lotus-Renault team, seems most likely headed to F1, and if that happens, Marlon would be the first Filipino to make it to F1.
That much, Automobile Association Philippines motor sports committee chairman Mandy Eduque has also said, as he added that Marlon would now have a "direct path" to F1 if he does well.
"He is in his second season in GP3. His next step will be GP2 or F3. Then it will be F1, depending on his performance," Eduque told Inquirer Motoring.
There are still many, many chequered flags to conquer before Marlon can reach the highest levels of motorsport. And that would most probably mean that we won't be seeing Marlon that often without his helmet and racing suit on.
In fact, as of press time, Marlon's uncle, Eric J. San Pedro, disclosed that the young racer was in transit to Estoril in Portugal for a three-day test to make him acquainted with the car and the team (it is for the GP3 as Marlon is a junior formula race car driver).
Last Friday, the Inquirer came out with the AAP special advertising feature that featured Stöckinger joining the top-ranking GP3 Team. The feature revealed that Stöckinger had agreed to join the Silverstone, UK-based Status Grand Prix for 2012 as he embarked on his second season in the GP3 Series.
The news release dubbed him as the brightest driving talent to emerge from the Philippines in two decades, and said that Stöckinger returns to the Formula One support series after a strong end-of-season testing campaign with Status GP last autumn.
Stöckinger regularly finished among the Top 5 of the time sheets in Barcelona, Valencia and Jerez and impressed the team with his approach and feedback.
Status GP carries the second-highest win tally since the category began in 2010. In the 2011 GP3 Series, Status scored victories with two drivers. The 2012 GP3 Series will be fought out at eight Formula One Grand Prix races across Europe, including the new addition of a round at the Monaco Grand Prix. Drivers will be competing for a new prize from tire supplier Pirelli, which provides the GP3 champion with a 200,000-euro reward toward a GP2 Series drive.
Stöckinger was formerly a Formula BMW scholar and race-winner in Formula Renault UK. Of Stöckinger joining Status GP, Eduque said that he would now be with a better team this year.
2BU interview
Three months ago, in November 2011, Inquirer 2BU came out with an exclusive story on Marlon. The story revealed Marlon's educational background in the Philippines. It was when he moved to Europe that he decided to throw himself wholeheartedly into the intensive training required of a professional racer. "I told my dad firmly, I wanted to focus on one thing—and that's racing," he said in the story.
Marlon said he was thrust early into the rigors of motorsport, which provided him a different kind of education. "In school, you always learn from the adults, those older and more knowledgeable than you," he said.
"I knew that if I wanted to be good at what I'm doing and gain respect for it, I'd have to develop a very professional working attitude, and be able to form relationships with the older people mentoring me," he said in the 2BU interview.
STÖCKINGER is the first Filipino to win a Formula race in Europe.
In the story, Marlon also credited his older, more seasoned teammates for broadening his perspective and helping him adjust to cultural differences. "Be more liberated," he said unhesitatingly. "Take more responsibility, be open, and have your own opinion."
Marlon also said that by being immersed in this kind of sport, where teamwork plays a huge factor in one's victory, Marlon acknowledges the value of contributing his inputs and having his thoughts heard.
He told 2BU: "The conservative nature of Filipino culture and our strict religious background generally make Filipinos more reluctant to speak out."
"But thanks to racing, I now know how to speak my mind in a professional and respectful manner and offer constructive criticism, all of which make us grow as a team. However, it's also this very upbringing that has enabled me to relate well to my teammates."
Marlon often reminds himself, while he gears up and prepares for a race, that he's accountable for his own choices on the track. "Apart from the fact that moving to Europe forced me to learn a whole new culture and be responsible for myself, getting into the sport taught me a lot more—that once the race begins, I'm alone in the game. I have to be entirely liable for my actions, and I have to be aware of the consequences of whatever I do," he told 2BU.
And when he eventually does join Formula One, he won't be just "alone" in the game, but the only Pinoy in it.
Fil-Swiss Marlon Stockinger races his way to F1
That's the life of Marlon, a Filipino-Swiss racecar driver who is well on his way to becoming the first ever Filipino to compete in Formula One.
After months of testing with different teams over the winter break, he finally signed with Status Grand Prix this month for the 2012 Grand Prix 3 season. The GP3 is an avenue for young drivers to develop their skills, being only two levels lower than F1. He will be one of 30 drivers competing from 10 different teams this season.
With Marlon's accolades, it would be surprising to know that he actually started his fascination with speed and wheels right here in the Philippines – a country not even remotely concerned with racing (unless we're talking about horse racing, if you know what I mean).
Photos courtesy of Marlon Stockinger.
"My dad used to race go karts in the Philippines with his friends. One day of course they sat me in one of these...and that was it!" retells Marlon.
He was only about nine-years-old when he started karting, competing for the first time in Carmona against now-big names Matteo Guidicelli and Michele Bumgarner. He did this for eight years, first in the Philippines and then in Asia and Europe. In 2006, he was even named Asian Karting Champion.
While he was scared at first to race, he knew he wanted to be more than just some poster boy. He wanted to make a name where it matters most in the racing community – Europe.
Aside from being a 20-year-old who has traveled the world, Marlon takes pride in being the first Filipino to win a Formula race in Europe.
"It is natural to progress from karting into Formula cars. Some people are good at it, others like to stay in karting," says Marlon. He, personally, ventured into real cars.
He first tried a Formula car with the Eurasia team and competed in the 2008 Formula BMW Pacific series where he won a BMW junior driver sponsorship. Funding is probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest, issues a racer has to address. Without money, you can't go abroad to race. If you don't go abroad to race, you can be sure that your F1 dreams will remain just dreams.
"It's hard to start out because it's hard to find sponsors. You have to rely on family to support your racing. Until you are in a category like Formula One, hardly anybody notices you," he says.
In the couple of years that he has spent with cars, he has also learned that racing isn't just about speed. Your position on the grid affects your final standing immensely.
"Qualifying is very important in car racing. If you start in front, you most probably are going to stay there, if nothing goes wrong. In karting, you can start all the way in the back and still make it to the front. It's much harder to do that in race cars. This is why it is very important for me to improve my qualifying speed," he explains.
Luckily for Marlon, things fell into place after his BMW sponsorship. He won the prestigious Formula Renault UK race in Croft in 2010 from pole position, a historic feat for a Filipino driver. Later on he also got accepted into the Lotus F1 Team junior drivers program, another step towards the F1.
"Motorsport is always competitive. You cannot drive slowly. So from karting in the Philippines and Asia to the racing tracks in Europe, it was all about competition," says Marlon.
The GP3 grid last year was probably the most competitive in the world, with 20 of the best young drivers competing. Some were already F1 reserve drivers, like Valtteri Bottas from Finland, who eventually won the series.
His first season in the GP3 didn't go quite well. For starters, his car stalled on the starting grid in several races.
In Barcelona, he qualified for third place but was later disqualified for a minor technical infringement (the clearance between the car's floor and the road surface was 5mm too low). He was also in a sensational crash where he hit Swiss driver Nico Muller who had stalled on the grid.
"Coming from the back I couldn't see him, since several drivers were dicing in front of me. Insult to injury was the comment of a German TV journalist on the Eurosport channel saying that I had already been noticed as a driver with bad habits, which was absolutely not true," he sighs.
Always the optimist, Marlon knows better than to dwell on past mistakes and critics.
"I am now with a new race-winning team, Status Grand Prix, and our testing last October/November went very well. I was always up there in the top five. I am looking forward to the pre-season testing which is about to start," he says.
"Marlon showed well in testing, and we fully expect him to be challenging at the front of the field this year. Experience also counts in the GP3 Series, and going into his second year Marlon is consistent and knows how to get the best out of the car and tires," says Status GP team principal Teddy Yip.
The GP3 follows the European F1 calendar and will run from May 12 to September 9. The series is comprised of eight Formula One Grands Prix to be held in Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Belgium and for the first time, Monaco.
"I am going to be the first Filipino race driver to ever run a race car through the narrow streets of Monaco. It has a little bit of a Hollywood feel to it," says Marlon excitedly.
After the GP3, Marlon can move to GP2 or World Series by Renault to get to F1. Either way, he wants to make the sport more popular among Filipinos.
"When I came first to Europe, they asked me 'Where do you come from?' and I said 'From the Philippines.' A lot of people asked, 'Where is that?' Success in motorsport on a high level can put the Philippines on the world map in terms of sports achievements. Manny Pacquiao has done that with his bare fists. I would love to do the same in motorsport. Man and machine! Often during race events it happens to me that Filipinos living and working abroad come by our paddock and are amazed to see one of their kababayans racing in some foreign country. That always made me proud," he shares.
While he's confident he can reach F1 in three to five years, he's concentrating on the 2012 GP3 title now. And his priority is fitness.
When you see him in person, he looks like the gym is his second home since he has to be extremely fit, not just to win, but to survive motorsport. He has a personal trainer who "puts him through hell" with fitness programs and boxing sparring sessions (even his neck has special exercises, he mentions).
Mental fitness also takes center stage especially, when you have cars zooming around you during races.
As Marlon puts it, "You have to be absolutely empty in your head because there is so much going on! Full concentration. Nothing else matters. Like a kung fu fighter or a boxer."
The sport requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication, he repeatedly says.
"But then again there is the Porsche party every year after the Monza race where you can mingle with all the beautiful F1 grid girls! And yes you share the pit lane with the F1 teams," he ends with a grin. - AMD, GMA News
Press Release: Silverstone, UK, 6TH February 2012
Rising Filipino star Marlon Stockinger has signed to join Status Grand Prix as he embarks on his second season in the GP3 Series in 2012.
Stockinger, 20, returns to the Formula One™ support series confident of success after a strong end-of-season testing campaign with Status GP last autumn. The Manila-based driver regularly featured in the Top 5 of the time sheets at Barcelona, Valencia and Jerez tests, and impressed the team with his approach and feedback.
"Marlon showed well in testing, and we fully expect him to be challenging at the front of the field this year," said Status GP team principal Teddy Yip. "Experience also counts in the GP3 Series, and going into his second year Marlon is consistent and knows how to get the best out of the car and tyres. We're delighted to welcome him to the team."
Stockinger, formerly a Formula BMW Scholar and race-winner in Formula Renault UK, is the brightest driving talent to emerge from the Philippines in two decades.
"I'm glad that I will be racing with Status GP in 2012," said Stockinger. "The winter tests went very well and we were always consistently in the top five, which is crucial in such a competitive championship as GP3. I have no doubt that the team and I can put together a strong campaign, and we'll be looking to run at the top of the field".
The 2012 GP3 Series title will be fought out at eight Formula One™ Grands Prix across Europe, including the new addition of a round at the Monaco Grand Prix. Drivers will also be fighting for a new prize from tyre supplier Pirelli, which provides the GP3 champion with a €200,000 reward towards a GP2 Series drive.
Silverstone-based team Status GP scored victories with two drivers in the 2011 GP3 Series, and has the second highest tally of wins since the category began in 2010. Status Grand Prix will announce the remainder of its GP3 Series driver line-up in the coming weeks.
For more information on Marlon Stockinger, go to: www.marlonstockinger.com
Marlon Stockinger returned to the team for third consecutive test,the Filipino driver performed strongly
Jerez, Spain, December 1-2, 2011
The GP3 Series ended the 2011 season with the final official two-day test at Circuito de Jerez in southern Spain, with Status Grand Prix running five different drivers over the two days.
Marlon Stockinger returned to the team for third consecutive test, and the Filipino driver performed strongly on both days. After completing 33 laps in warm, sunny conditions on the first morning, the 20-year-old improved his Dallara GP3 car through the afternoon to post the eighth fastest time when he bolted on his second new set of Pirelli P Zero tyres.
READ MORE, CLICK the LINK above or HERE.
Marlon Stockinger was third fastest in the last day of the official GP3 Series test at Valencia
Valencia, Spain, 24th November 2011
Marlon Stockinger was third fastest in the last day of the official GP3 Series test at Valencia on Thursday, while Gabby Chaves marked his debut with the team by closing out the final session seventh fastest.
Stockinger, who is preparing for his second season in the Formula One support-race championship, returned to Status GP for second day of the Valencia test having driven with the team at the Barcelona test last month. With a dry track and clear blue skies, the Filipino immediately settled into a good rhythm on used Pirelli P Zero slick tyres before bolting on one of the two new sets allocated for the day.
Stockinger was quick all day on Status GP return
A best lap of 1m26.407s placed Stockinger third behind Daniel Abt and Matias Laine, who both used two sets of new tyres in the cool morning conditions. These times remained as the best in the overall classifications of the two-day test.
Stockinger continued his strong form in the warmer afternoon session, posting quick times on used tyres before setting a 1m27.224s on his final new set, which left him classified fourth, 0.27sec off Conor Daly's fastest time. READ MORE
GP3 Series at Monza...promising for Stockinger, the Swiss-Filipino posting the seventh fastest time
PRESS RELEASE: Monday, 12 September 2011
Atech CRS GP brought its 2011 race season to a close in the final rounds of the GP3 Series at Monza this weekend, with Marlon Stockinger bringing his car home in 13th and 19th places from the two races. There was disappointment for Nick Yelloly who suffered a mechanical problem in race one and had his charge through the field in race two, which earnt him two fastest laps, ended in a five-car crash on lap nine.
Swiss Zoel Amberg saw his chances of another strong finish brought to a premature finish with a collision in both races, which left him unable to show his improved form of the second half of the season.
Friday's practice proved promising for Stockinger, the Swiss-Filipino posting the seventh fastest time in the opening session to show his ever-improving pace in his first season in the series. However in the morning qualifying session, it was Amberg who led the way, the Swiss GP3 rookie setting the 18th fastest lap, with Stockinger in 25th and Yelloly 28th, the trio all struggling to find a tow on the long straights of the historic Italian track.
In Saturday's opening round, Amberg was one of three drivers eliminated on the opening lap, the 20 year-old victim of an incident that ended his race on the spot. Yelloly meanwhile had made a good start and was up into 11th when he lost power with a broken cambelt on lap nine.
And so it was left to Stockinger to uphold honours for the Leicestershire-based team, with a strong drive up into the top ten and chasing eighth and the pole spot for race two, before an off-track excursion dropped him down the order.
In Sunday's early morning final race, a storming drive through the field from Yelloly allowed him to twice post the fastest lap, which was only beaten on the very last tour of the 16-lap race. However as the field entered the Parabolica on lap nine, Nick was one of five cars attempting the corner, from which only one car escaped unscathed. Yelloly was forced to sit out the rest of the race from the sidelines.
Stockinger had another strong drive from the eighth row, making up six places to finish 13th. But for the unfortunate Amberg, a first lap clash caused damage which subsequently put him out for the second race in succession.
Nick Yelloly: "Friday was OK, we were quite fast but in qualifying, where at Monza it's all about getting a tow, we just didn't get the most out of the traffic and consequently didn't get a strong grid start for race one. It was close though; I was only a tenth of a second off the fastest driver in the mid-sector. I made a good start and was up into 11th when the cambelt came off and that was it.
Slightly disappointing as I think I could have got up to eighth and taken the pole spot for race two. In the second race the pace was great, I was setting fastest laps and feeling pretty confident of moving through the field, until I was taken out at the Parabolica. Five of us went into the corner but only one came out."
Marlon Stockinger: "Practice started well and I was feeling pretty confident going into qualifying but was unable to get a tow, which is really important here. In the first race I was pushing hard, I managed to get up to tenth and was trying hard to get to eighth and pole spot for race two, when I went off. And in race two I made a good start and got past six cars but ran out of laps."
David Hayle: "This weekend was all about the lack of tow in qualifying and accidents in the races unfortunately, which after a good start from Marlon in practice is a little disappointing. Nick had a great second race; he was very quick in the opening laps so it's frustrating for him to have his charge through the field ended.
Marlon too drove well in race one, pushing hard all the way to try and get the pole spot for the second race, so to lose that opportunity is a shame. Zoel was the unfortunate victim of two accidents and was unlucky not to have been able to show his strong pace in the races."
GP3 Series opening race in Spa - strong performance by the 20 year-old Swiss-Filipino saw him gain
PRESS RELEASE: Sunday 28 August, 2011
Atech CRS GP continued to demonstrate its improved pace with Nick Yelloly posting the fifth fastest time in qualifying for the opening GP3 Series opening race in Spa.
On Sunday, overcoming ever-changing weather conditions typical of the Belgian circuit, Marlon Stockinger drove a storming race from the back of the grid to finish tenth, while Zoel Amberg also recovered well from retirement in race one to finish 12th just ahead of Yelloly.
The Leicestershire-based team's strong showing in qualifying unfortunately netted no points for the trio in Saturday's first race. For Yelloly, his strong start to maintain position on lap one came to an abrupt stop at Les Combes when he was hit by another car, bending a front wishbone and ending his race on the spot.
A fuel pump loom failure for Stockinger ended his race after six laps while Amberg was sidelined with a puncture.
Race two saw all three drivers start from the back of the grid and a great start from Stockinger allowed him to make up 11 places on the opening lap. A strong performance by the 20 year-old Swiss-Filipino saw him gain four further places over the course of the 12 lapper, as he crossed the line tenth, just 0.01 seconds adrift of ninth place.
The race also saw impressive charges through the pack from Amberg and Yelloly. Amberg recovered from his non-finish in race one and gained a massive 18 places during the race on his way to 12th place.
While Yelloly, who came into the Spa race on the back of an impressive debut appearance in Formula Renault 3.5 last weekend, also made good progress through the race, including a stunning manouevre around the outside of two cars at the mid-point, to gain 16 places at the flag in 13th.
Marlon Stockinger: "We had a good second race. I made an awesome start to make up 11 places on the opening lap and the car was really good. We'd put more wing on to overcome the damp conditions and I managed to get by a few others over the remaining laps. Generally the car was great, in the first race I was making progress until the fuel pump loom failed, but overall we had good pace."
Nick Yelloly: "The weekend got off to a reasonable start, we spent much of the practice bedding in discs and brakes and I was happy with the car going into qualifying. In that, I only managed one flying lap as I was on the weighbridge, and was third fastest, although I dropped down when others gained an extra lap. Race one was disappointing being taken out on lap one, but I had a good race in the second, despite a big gamble with no wing and low tyre pressures. I think I could have been on for two podiums this weekend, so slightly disappointing, but after the Formula Renault 3.5 outing last weekend and this weekend's pace, it's certainly lifted my confidence as we go into Monza."
GP3 season last Sunday's race in Barcelona...
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 23 May, 2011
Zoel Amberg scored Atech CRS GP's best result of the GP3 season in Sunday's race in Barcelona following his strong weekend in Istanbul in the opening round. The team made significant progress this weekend with much improved pace for all three drivers.
Atech's star drive of the weekend went to Zoel who excelled in Sunday's race two, making up six places in the opening lap. Once the race settled he suffered from being unable to overtake on the notoriously tough circuit despite having a much faster pace than the cars ahead. Having started in 16th, he crossed the line in 10th place.
Four cars stalled on the grid and Marlon, starting from the back of the grid was accelerating and driving towards the right of a stationary car when a driver swerved in front of him. Marlon then couldn't see the stricken car and hit it just as he had changed up to fifth gear. The impact was so severe that the left hand side of the car was completely destroyed and the gearbox was broken in half. Marlon walked away shaken but uninjured.
After the restart following a three lap safety car period, Nick started making his way through the field, but as with race one, his tyres started to suffer and he struggled to maintain his pace. He crossed the line 18th having started the race 24th.
Team Principal David Hayle: "It's difficult to see the positives when all three drivers have driven so well over the weekend and not got the results they deserved but our pace here has been fantastic. On a circuit where overtaking is more of a possibility we could easily have been in the top six, if not on the podium. Zoel showed again that he has the skills to make his way through the pack at the start. With some work on his qualifying he's going to be at the front end very soon, and Nick is starting to show consistency which is very important. Marlon has had one of the worst weekends possible for a driver but he should take comfort from showing that he's a podium contender."
The next rounds of the 2011 GP3 Series take place at the Spanish circuit of Valencia over the weekend of 24-26 June.
Barcelona Spain - ATECH CRS GP ON THE PACE BUT NO RESULTS
PRESS RELEASE: Saturday 21 May, 2011
The pace for the Atech team in today's qualifying session and race one was the best of the season by a long way, but circumstances went against the Leicestershire team. Marlon Stockinger qualified in third place, putting in an excellent lap, but was later excluded for a minor technical infringement and started the race from the back. Nick Yelloly and Zoel Amberg qualified 11th and 24th respectively.
A jump start added to Marlon's woes and so he finished 26th while Nick, having made his way through to 8th and with a reverse grid pole start for race two in his sights, slid back through the field as his tyres degraded and his lap times dropped. Zoel made the most progress for the team by gaining eight places through the race to finish in 16th position.
Nick Yelloly: "I had my best qualifying of the year with 11th which was a pretty strong effort and I could have done better if I hadn't made a mistake. I know I have potential to be higher. We talked about set-up and went for similar to qualifying which was good for getting up to eighth on the first lap. Then the pace went. It was so bad I slipped back and couldn't even defend. It was like driving in the rain. We will sort it for tomorrow's race. "
Marlon Stockinger: "Obviously the exclusion has been a big down for us but at least we know we have the pace. Tomorrow is a new day. I did a very good lap, it could so easily have been a bit better, I've really worked on my qualifying and in only my 2nd GP3 event I managed to put the car on the 2nd row."
Zoel Amberg: "It was a good race – difficult with tyre problems and everyone is so similar with pace. It's difficult to overtake but I managed to get some positions on the start and first lap and then later overtaking on the straight and around the outside."
Team Principal David Hayle: "I feel for Marlon because today's decision has overshadowed a fantastic performance and the minor technical infringement on one side of the rear floor gave no performance advantage. In the race he had the same pace as the race leaders so a podium would have been achievable. All three drivers have shown that we have good pace. Nick was capable of being near Marlon in qualifying and Zoel's race performance was very good. We just need to work on qualifying to get him higher up the grid for the start. "
Race one is shown on Eurosport 2 & Eurosport HD at 8am UK time tomorrow (Sunday) morning. Race two is broadcast live immediately afterwards at 9.30 local/ 8.30am UK time.
Barcelona Spain - Marlon Stockinger grabs third position to give Atech CRS GP its best qualifying result
Marlon Stockinger grabs third position to give
Atech CRS GP its best qualifying result to date -
GP3 Barcelona, F1 Santander Race, Spain
Marlon Stockinger - right
Please click on link below for more information and details:
Andrea Caldarelli looked to have pole wrapped up for Tech 1 Racing early on in the session. The Italian went top of the time sheets, and the rest of the thirty strong field struggled to match his pace. Early on Lotus ART's James Calado, Jenzer Motorsport's Nico Muller and Status Grand Prix's Alexander Sims all challenged at the front but Caldarelli was sitting pretty.
During the second half of the session the battled really heated up. Yesterday's quickest man, Valtteri Bottas briefly took the top spot, before Atech CRS GP's Marlon Stockinger edged him out. But Caldarelli was quick to respond moving ahead of the Filipino driver. Caldarelli pounded in quick laps, and had the session under control, until fellow rookie Evans found his groove. With just minutes left on the clock the 16-year-old put together the perfect lap to move ahead, and despite pushing hard Caldarelli could not find the extra time he needed - Evans snatched the first ever pole position for MW Arden by just 0.001 seconds.
Marlon Stockinger - right
Stockinger held onto third position to give Atech CRS GP its best qualifying result to date, and Aaro Vainio ended the session with his best ever performance in fourth for Tech 1 Racing. James Calado was the top Lotus ART driver in fifth, and race winner Nigel Melker was in sixth. Müller had one final push but was unable to better his time and remained in seventh ahead of Pal Kiss, Dean Smith and Bottas in tenth.
Once again the competition down the grid was extremely competitive and just one second covered the top twenty-four drivers. The scene is set once again for another exciting race this afternoon...more @ http://gp3series.com/news/Barcelona-Rd-2-2011/Evans-grabs-first-ever-pole-for-MW-Arden/
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 8 May, 2011
Atech CRS GP finished 11th in the weekend's second GP3 race in Istanbul on Sunday with Briton Nick Yelloly narrowly avoiding a stalled car off the line to finish top of the trio. Zoel Amberg had another strong race, despite being hit by another car which damaged his suspension, to finish 14th while Marlon Stockinger, eliminated in Saturday's opening round, moved up seven places to bring his car home 23rd.
The grid saw Amberg line up 12th, Yelloly 13th and Stockinger dead last in 30th, having been an early retirement in the first race. At the lights Yelloly was lucky to avoid the stalled car of Nico Muller immediately in front of him, and get a run alongside Amberg into the first corner, passing his team-mate later in the lap.
Stockinger made a good start to gain five places in the opening three laps while Yelloly and Amberg were trading places just outside the top ten. Amberg's bid for a top ten finish ended when he was hit by another car damaging his suspension dropping him to 14th, while Yelloly chasing tenth held on to take 11th at the flag, and Stockinger made up two more places to finish 23rd.
Nick Yelloly: "I got a good start and just managed to avoid Muller who had stalled in front of me. Then I got past Zoel on the opening lap, but the trouble is if anyone makes a mistake the whole field bunches up behind and in amongst the traffic it's hard to show your true pace. Towards the end of the race I changed my driving style, which worked and gave me better pace so I know it's really important to qualify higher. I was pretty happy with the race pace, and so now I'm pretty confident ahead of the next rounds, but to be running around the top ten for a rookie, isn't bad."
Zoel Amberg: "In the beginning it wasn't bad and I had a good fight with Nick which was cool! But then I was hit by another car, which damaged mine, and I lost a lot of grip as a result. The team did a great job all weekend though and I really enjoyed my first GP3 outing. It was a pretty good weekend all round and I'm now really looking forward to the next rounds in Spain."
Team Principal David Hayle: "It wasn't a bad start to the season really considering we have three GP3 rookies in the team. We will take what we've learnt this weekend and build on it for the next rounds and keep improving."
The next rounds of the 2011 GP3 Series take place at the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona, Spain over the weekend of 20-22 May.
GP3 Series: Marlon Stockinger is getting ready for Round one in Istanbul, Turkey
Good Luck to Marlon for Round One in Istanbul, Turkey
& the start for this season GP3. Starting May 6th 2011
See the attached pdf file a larger version for download with
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Stockinger was the pace-setter for the team, ATECH CRS GP COMPLETES THREE DAYS IN SPAIN
PRESS RELEASE: Thursday 14th April, 2011
Atech CRS GP completed the final pre-season GP3 testing with three days at the Catalunya circuit in Spain. Swiss-Filipino Marlon Stockinger finished the morning session sixth fastest in conditions much cooler than Tuesday's opening day allowing the Leicestershire-based team and the rest of the 30-car field to lap around a second faster.
Stockinger was the pace-setter for the team, happy with his set up and comfortably settling into the car as he embarks on his first season in GP3. Nick Yelloly was next up, the British racer also heading into his debut season in the European Grands Prix- support series unable to get the most from his new tyres on day two but happy with the progress made in Thursday's final session.
There was frustration for Swiss Zoel Amberg who suffered with a persistent engine problem over the three days, which caused his car to stop, and which the team were unable to rectify before the final flag.
Marlon Stockinger: "It was a pretty good test, we did three race simulations and got some good data from that so I think we're well prepared for Turkey. The team did a great job, we worked steadily with a program of what we wanted to achieve and I think we pretty much ticked all the boxes, so I'm very happy."
Nick Yelloly: "We've been struggling slightly with the set-up today but were able to get in two race runs ready for the opening rounds. We didn't use new tyres this afternoon as we wanted to concentrate on that but towards the end of the afternoon session, we found quite a bit of time and made some good improvements, which I'm confident will also help when it comes to qualifying."
Zoel Amberg: "Sadly we had a recurring engine problem, which started on day one and which we just couldn't sort. It's disappointing to finish the pre-season tests like this but hopefully we can rectify the problem prior to the opening rounds next month."
Team Principal David Hayle: "Marlon had a very good day today, managing to get all his sectors together and produce the result he had shown was possible from the start. With Nick we ran all his new tyres in the morning and spent this afternoon doing race runs, which also provided us with lots of information we feel will also help in qualifying, so we're very happy with that. It was unfortunate for Zoel that we had a recurring engine problem pretty much throughout the test, his car just kept stopping, and we couldn't get to the bottom of what it was, so sadly he didn't get very many laps in. But we have several weeks now prior to the opening rounds in Turkey and hopefully we can go into the tests there and have this problem resolved and look forward to a good opening weekend."
Determined charge from Stockinger saw him pull himself up to fifth overall...Atech CRS GP Silverstone
PRESS RELEASE: Friday 1st April, 2011
The Atech CRS GP team returned to track action with three days around the Silverstone circuit this week. The three-car team, now located in Leicestershire, joined the rest of the GP3 Series teams for the second of three pre-season tests, and were treated to a bright and sunny start to the opening day.
During the course of the morning session, the three GP3 rookies steadily improved their times, until the session was cut short thirty seconds from the checkered flag, ending their chances of improvement.
After lunch the drivers retook to the track, and a determined charge from Stockinger saw him pull himself up to fifth overall, and confident of improving had rain not interrupted the session. For Yelloly and Amberg, the afternoon provided a valuable opportunity to carry out race simulation runs but the chances of improving their lap times was brought to a halt when the rain fell mid-way through the session.
On Wednesday the trio were met with changeable track conditions but Stockinger again felt more at ease with the conditions and his car set-up, winding up tenth overall. Afternoon rain halted any chance of improvements in lap time but allowed them the chance to run on full wets and saw Yelloly excel in the tricky conditions, moving up to 13th, just behind Stockinger, with Amberg comfortable also on the wet track, moving up to 17th.
Thursday's final day started on a wet track and over the course of the three-hour session, there were several red flag stoppages, preventing the drivers from getting a clear run. The afternoon session however saw windy dry conditions replace the rain, which provided another challenge but also the opportunity to gather vital information ahead of the final pre-season tests next month.
Marlon Stockinger: "The team did a great job on Tuesday and we were able to get a good set-up pretty much from the start, which allowed me to post some good times early on. In the afternoon we worked on developing the car further and had it not been for the rain, I really feel I could have improved even more. It was much of the same on Wednesday, consistently running in and around the top ten but we struggled on the last day for some reason. However I still remain confident ahead of the Barcelona test that we can take what we've learnt here into the next test."
Nick Yelloly: "We messed up on our first tyre run on Tuesday but in the second were reasonably competitive. We spent time also doing a race simulation run which was great, but I didn't get the chance to go for a time on new tyres before the rain came. Through Wednesday and Thursday we struggled on new tyres in the middle sector until the closing minutes of Thursday when I found the reason and gained six tenths! That was a great feeling and now we leave Silverstone in a much more positive frame of mind as we head to Barcelona, a circuit I know and like, confident of improving further."
Zoel Amberg: "I spent much of the morning of the first day learning the track as it's very new to me, the second to fifth corners I feel I'm particularly struggling with but overall I was reasonably happy. We made a few changes for the afternoon but sadly we didn't get the chance to run on new tyres before the rain set in. On Wednesday the morning session was OK but the second half was pretty wet although I was quite happy with my pace. On Thursday it was very hard to get a good run as there were many red flags and the wind was very strong which made it hard to find the correct line. But I'm enjoying the experience very much and working with the Atech CRS GP team."
Team Principal David Hayle: "Marlon drove very well and was immediately on the pace from the start on Tuesday. He was very happy with his set-up and that was reflected by his strong performance Tuesday and Wednesday. Nick and Zoel were able to run race simulations on Tuesday, which proved valuable as we approach the opening races. We have learnt from the three days though, Nick found a huge improvement in the closing minutes on Thursday alone and Zoel is improving every session, so overall I think it was a good performance by all three."
The team returns to track activity in the final pre-season tests at Barcelona, Spain on 12-13-14 April 2011.
Latest NEWS! Complete update on Marlon Stockinger main website,new Photos,latest on the GP3 & Calendar
Complete and NEW updates on Marlon's main Website, new Photos,
Calendar event for GP3 in 2011 & a lot more.
New updated Website and Home page.
Calendar event for GP3 in 2011
GP3 Newsletter: Marlon about his move to GP3...I feel great to be back with Atech for the upcoming season
Marlon competed with atech gp in the michelin formula renault uk series this year, winning at the croft rounds mid- season as well as taking several other podium finishes on his way to eighth place in the drivers' table. he also did formula renault winter cup last season, and was a regular to the podium. marlon is also the 2006 asian karting champion, 2007 philippine rotax max champion and 2008 Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship winner.
Here's what Marlon said about his move to GP3: "I feel great to be back with Atech for the upcoming season. I think the team is great and that we will achieve good results next year. My aim
is to be the top rookie and finish in the top five. It's a lot to ask but I believe we can do it, given how well we did when I tested with the team in the winter tests. I'm looking forward to Monaco, because of the rich history and atmosphere it presents. The cars themselves are great and I felt at home within a couple of laps. It helped a lot that the systems like the steering wheel were the same as the Formula Renault making it an easy step. I'm happy to be competing with the best drivers, on the best tracks from all over the world, and look forward to a great season next year."
Click here to visit Marlon's Website
GP3: Stöckinger - Philippiner im Motorsport
GP3: Stöckinger - Philippiner im Motorsport
von Michael Zeitler
Ein Philippiner fährt 2011 in der GP3. Er ist nicht der erste Philippiner im Profi-Formel-Sport.
| Marin (!NS!DE RAC!NG) - Südostasien ist nicht unbedingt eine Region, in der Motorsport sehr populär ist. Die Rennbedingungen sind daher schlecht, auf den Philippinen noch viel mehr: Das Land besteht aus 7107 Inseln, nur 880 sind bewohnt, nur 1000 sind überhaupt größer als ein Quadratkilometer! Böse Zungen behaupten, der Platz für größere Rennstrecken ist schlicht nicht gegeben.
Historisch waren die Philippiner in der Hand zweier Motorsport-Nationen: 330 Jahre lang waren die Inseln spanische Kolonie, doch damals kannte man weder Motoren, noch Motorsport. Es folgten zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts die Amerikaner, doch die dachten freilich nicht daran, auf den Philippinen eine Motorsport-Kultur zu entwickeln. Das war schon allein die Folge daraus, dass die amerikanische Herrschaft mit Krieg statt Frieden verbunden war... more @
News: A Swiss from the Philippines in the international racing News, the GP3 Series
Marlon Stockinger in the News...GP3
News: Marlon Stockinger and the GP3 Series, the GP3 Newsletter
Marlon Stockinger in the GP3 NEWSLETTER
For more info & the complete article pls.
CLICK this LINK or the Newsletter.
Marlon Stockinger
PRESS RELEASE: Wednesday 17th November, 2010
Atech CRS Grand Prix has today confirmed that Marlon Stockinger will join the team for an assault on the 2011 GP3 Series, which kicks off in Istanbul in May. The Swiss-Filipino will join recently signed Nick Yelloly in the team's three-car line-up with the third driver expected to be announced soon.
Marlon competed with Atech GP in the Michelin Formula Renault UK series this year, winning at the Croft rounds mid-season as well as taking several other podium finishes on his way to eighth place in the drivers' table. Marlon was amongst the drivers carrying out a comprehensive test programme with the Silverstone-based team post-season and will be reunited with his team-mate Yelloly when the duo resume testing in a Formula Master car next week.
The 19 year-old former Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship winner is relishing rejoining the team with whom he has forged an excellent working relationship for the past two years commenting: "I feel great to be back with Atech for the upcoming season. I think the team is great and that we will achieve good results next year.
"My aim is to be the top rookie and finish in the top five. It's a lot to ask but I believe we can do it, given how well we did when I tested with the team in the winter tests. I'm looking forward to Monaco, because of the rich history and atmosphere it presents.
"The cars themselves are great and I felt at home within a couple of laps. It helped a lot that the systems like the steering wheel were the same as the Formula Renault making it an easy step. I'm happy to be competing with the best drivers, on the best tracks from all over the world, and look forward to a great season next year."
Atech CRS Team Principal David Hayle added: "I'm really happy that Marlon is staying within the Atech family and progressing up the ladder with Atech CRS into GP3. His performances this season, including a dominant weekend at Croft, confirms how much he has improved over the past 12 months and it's been a pleasure to work with him and see him mature into a front-running driver.
"He's very well liked and a welcome addition to the team for 2011, and we look forward to seeing a continuation of his progress. I think continuity is very important, Marlon feels at home here and that's also very important."
The Atech CRS GP team is currently in negotiations with two other drivers for the third seat and hopes to be able to confirm it's full line-up in the very near future.
Latest NEWS: MARLON STOCKINGER TALKS TO GP3
Please see the LINK for news and updates on testing from Estoril and Jerez for the 2011 GP3 series:
Marlon Stockinger continued his impressive run of top places, 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship
RESS RELEASE: Sunday 5 September, 2010
Atech Grand Prix's Tamas Kiss scored a hard-fought second place at Knockhill today, together with sixth place in race one, to maintain his lead in the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. His team-mates Nick Yelloly and Marlon Stockinger also continued their impressive run of top places with fifth and seventh in race one, and followed that with two more top ten finishes in race two to maintain seventh and eighth in the standings.
Qualifying kicked off on Saturday and left the trio disappointed with their pace, with Kiss also admitting to a small mistake which cost him valuable time. As the field lined up for race one, it was Yelloly leading the way on row four, just ahead of Hungarian Kiss with Stockinger, lining up 11th.
At the start a superb getaway by Yelloly moved him up to seventh at the first corner while Kiss was demoted to ninth and Stockinger held 11th. Yelloly was briefly pushed down to eighth until a collision on lap three eliminated two cars and moved the trio back up the order.
On lap five the safety car was deployed allowing the field to bunch up with Yelloly in fifth just ahead of Kiss and Stockinger in seventh. At the restart on lap 10, the trio held station and for the remaining 15 laps Yelloly and Kiss enjoyed a close battle for fifth place, the Birmingham teenager just getting the verdict at the flag. Swiss-Filipino Stockinger came home seventh, after gaining four places from his start position.
Race two saw Kiss line up third with Stockinger in seventh and Yelloly 11th. At the lights Kiss made a good start closing down race leader Tom Blomqvist before making an excellent pass into turn one, while Stockinger and Yelloly had both moved up two places.
Another safety car period on lap three bunched up the pack and allowed Kiss to make a move for the lead. His attempt though instead allowed Ollie Millroy ahead but another great move by Kiss saw him regain the position, while behind Yelloly and Stockinger were in the midst of a four-car battle for eighth place.
The safety car was deployed once again eight laps from home ensuring the field held position and with the race resuming three laps from the finish it was a mad sprint to the flag with Kiss following home the race leader in second place, with Stockinger eighth just ahead of Yelloly.
The Atech Grand Prix team returns to racing action in two weeks time at its home circuit of Silverstone for the penultimate event, supporting the World Series by Renault on 18/19 September.
Marlon Stockinger with a superb pole position later converted to fifth, Formula Renault UK Championship at Silverstone
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 23 August, 2010
Atech Grand Prix clinched second and third places in round 13 of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Silverstone on Sunday and maintains its lead in the series. Briton Nick Yelloly took a second podium of the year with the runner-up spot just ahead of series leader Tamas Kiss while Marlon Stockinger underlined his improving pace with a superb pole position, which was .
The weekend kicked off with the re-run of round five from Brands Hatch, which was abandoned due to heavy flooding. The grid lined up in their original slots which had Kiss start from the second row with Yelloly lining up eighth and Stockinger ninth.
At the lights the trio all made good starts to hold position but Kiss's main series rivals were up ahead and looking to close down his advantage at the head of the points table. A solid drive by Kiss though allowed him to take fourth place at the flag but he saw his lead narrowed to just one point.
Behind him, Stockinger and Yelloly had fairly uneventful runs to the finish netting 10th and 11th places respectively to keep them in the top eight in the series.
For Sunday's round 13 also held over 22 laps, Stockinger had qualified on pole, his second of the year and at the lights made the perfect getaway to take an immediate lead into the first corner.
A fast starting Yelloly got the jump on two cars at the lights and was up into third with series leader Kiss maintaining his grid slot in seventh. Stockinger's lead was short-lived however, when the second-placed driver forced a way through on the opening lap just as the safety car was deployed when two cars collided.
At the restart, Yelloly made his move to take his team-mate, surging ahead and into second place. Stockinger fought back though and for several corners the pair ran side-by-side, with Yelloly eventually making the place his. Behind, a hard charging performance by Kiss, allowed him to move up through the order and pass Stockinger for fourth.
A string of fastest laps by Yelloly underlined his pace over the course of the extended 25-lap race and allowed him to close down the gap to the leader and make several attempts to wrest the lead. This allowed the third placed driver to close up and take Kiss with him.
The Hungarian soon disposed of third to move into the final podium spot while ahead, Yelloly saw his second place stolen as he was attempting to take the lead. Four laps from home however, Yelloly again made a move to take the place back, diving up the inside with a daring move, which resulted in slight contact between the two. Yelloly won the place though and took Kiss with him, the pair taking second and third at the flag, while Stockinger came home fifth.
Sunday's final race proved disappointing for Yelloly, the Solihull driver being forced out of fifth place when he was hit by another car and tipped into a spin, dropping him down the order. A storming drive however saw the 18 year-old once again post the fastest lap and then enjoy a four-car battle for tenth place, eventually finishing 13th.
Stockinger's race was also effectively ended when he was forced to pit for a drive-through penalty for creeping forward on the grid at the start and crossed the line 15th.
Up ahead though there were no such problems for Kiss who made a perfect start from eighth on the grid to get into fifth on lap one. By lap five he was right on the tail of the fourth placed driver but was unable to make a move to take the place. His fifth place puts him 11 points ahead of Lewis Williamson, who has moved ahead of Will Stevens in the title hunt.
The Atech Grand Prix team returns to racing action in two weeks time at Knockhill in Scotland over the weekend of 4/5 September.
Stockinger once again made a good start and steady progress at the Hungaroring last weekend
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 5 July 2010
Silverstone-based Atech Grand Prix made a one-off appearance in the latest rounds of the Formula Renault Eurocup at the Hungaroring this weekend, making the most of the seven-week break in its UK schedule. The outing offered the opportunity for the three driver line-up of Michelin Formula Renault UK series leader Tamás Pál Kiss, Marlon Stockinger, winner last time out, and rapid racer Nick Yelloly to go head-to-head with the cream of European junior racers.
For Pál Kiss, it also marked a return to his home circuit, the Hungarian eager to please the thousands of fans that flocked to the World Series by Renault event. However after a strong pace in testing where he was sixth and seventh in the two sessions, the 19 year-old was frustrated by an electrical problem in qualifying that meant he could only secure one lap to put him 21st.
Swiss-Filipino Stockinger was left to fly the flag for the team, the youngster who had a storming last event in the domestic series, claiming first and third from the two races, improving on his testing pace to post the seventh fastest time for race one. Yelloly was quickly on the pace in Friday's test, the Briton 11th of the 27 runners, and qualified 12th for race one.
In the opening race, it was again Stockinger who made the best of his grid slot, the 19 year-old gaining two places from his start position to cross the line fifth and with the third fastest race lap. There was further disappointment for Pál Kiss, the electrical problem that had thwarted his qualifying, returning in the race, causing his retirement on the opening lap.
For Yelloly too, the first race proved frustrating after the starter motor failed on the green flag lap, forcing the youngster to start from the pit lane. Despite that handicap, the teenager once again drove a stirring race, his pace and overtaking moves gaining him 11 places to finish 14th
With a drivers' second fastest lap in qualifying determining the grid for race two, it was Nick who led the way time wise with the 13th fastest time to lead the trio. Following an infringement in race one however; where he was the victim of an incident with another driver, he was later penalised four grid slots.
Marlon lined up in 14th place, ahead of Nick in 17th while for Tamás, his lack of a second lap in qualifying meant he would start on the back row.
Stockinger once again made a good start and steady progress through the field, clawing his way back through the field to finish eighth, the youngster delighted with his weekend's results. Yelloly too made another superb start to the 15 lap-race, although he was frustrated to have been penalised four grid places from his 13th after his customary charge gaining him six places from his start position and very nearly into the top ten, crossing the line 11th.
But in front of his home crowd, all eyes were on Pal Kiss. Starting from 26th on the grid, Tamás was in fighting form as he scythed his way through the pack, making up 17 places from his grid slot to take ninth place and fastest lap along the way.
Team principal David Hayle was pleased with his team's overall performance over the weekend: "It was very much a weekend of mixed fortunes for us. Tamás showed great pace in both test sessions but suffered the electrical problem in qualifying which went on to affect both his races in different ways. His fight through the field in race two was fantastic, and showed tremendous pace.
"Marlon once again had two very strong races from a great start position and again showed great race pace. Nick was very unlucky with his starter motor failing but drove exceptionally well, particularly in the opening race, starting from the pit lane and moving through the field with some great moves."
The trio will return to the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship with three races at Snetterton, one replacing the rain-aborted race from Brands Hatch, over the weekend of 7/8 August.
Photos from the big Day! ! Marlon Stockinger first ever Filipino race winner...2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship
A jubilant Marlon Stockinger...
and a day to remember!
THE PHOTOS...no words needed!
Soon more photos on Marlon's website in the Gallery @ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
Champagne Shower for team principal David Hayle!
A very big Bear Hug...Tom & Marlon Stockinger after the race.
Lets have drink Son... Marlon and his dad Tom.
All Photos by: Jakob Ebrey Photography
First ever Filipino race winner: Marlon Stockinger secured his first victory of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship
For immediate release: Monday, 21st June 2010
Ref: FR10-17
· Marlon Stockinger secures maiden win to become first ever Filipino race winner.
· Lewis Williamson dedicates second win to his dad on Father's Day.
· Dejected Thomas Hylkema unable to convert maiden pole position.
· Round 10 attracts packed crowd and broadcast live on ITV4.
Atech GP's Marlon Stockinger secured his first victory of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship during rounds nine and 10 at North Yorkshire's Croft circuit on 19th/20th June to become the first ever Filipino driver to win a race.
The 19-year-old, who only finished 25th last season, secured a lights-to-flag victory in Saturday's round nine after also claiming his first ever podium followed by a second-place in Sunday's televised round 10.
The weekend also brought delight for Scottish (Golspie) racer Lewis Williamson, racing for Manor Competition, who secured his second win of the season during the tense round 10 with the 20-year-old dedicating the victory to his dad on Father's Day who also recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
Manor Competition completed a strong weekend for them with a maiden podium for Ollie Millroy (Claygate) with second in round nine and Will Stevens (Oxshott) who secured third in round 10. Fortec Motorsport's Tom Blomqvist (Saffron Walden) claimed the final podium spot with third in round nine while team-mate Alex Lynn (Dunmow) and Mark Burdett Motorsport's Fabio Gamberini (Oxford) each picked up a class win in the Graduate Cup.
Although absent from the podium, Hungarian driver Tama's Pa'l Kiss, driving for Atech GP, picked up another good points haul to stretch his title lead to 19-points as the series reaches the halfway stage.
Hylkema despair...
If Saturday's qualifying session was anything to go by rounds nine and 10 looked set to be a weekend of surprises. Following Stockinger's maiden pole in Q1, the second qualifying session saw Dutchman Thomas Hylkema, driving for Manor Competition, secure his first ever Formula Renault UK P1 while this year's title hopefuls were spread throughout the field.
Sunday's round 10 then, broadcast live on ITV4 and in front of a packed crowd, saw Hylkema line up in unfamiliar territory as the Michelin pole-sitter with team-mate Williamson alongside him. Stockinger sat just behind on row two to separate yet another Manor Competition car in the form of Stevens. Returnee Riki Christodoulou (Sutton Coldfield), driving for CRS Racing in place of Victor Corrêa, lined up in fifth with championship leader Pa'l Kiss down in seventh.
As the lights went out for the start of the 15-lap race it was Williamson who got the best start as Hylkema struggled to get away due a damaged engine sensor following a mechanical issue which affected his cars performance. It was therefore the Scottish racer who led the field into the right-handed Clervaux followed by Stockinger, Stevens and Christodoulou.
The tight Hairpin on the opening 2.125-mile lap provided the opportunity for Pa'l Kiss to nip up the inside of Blomqvist while just behind CRS Racing's Michael Lyons (Essex) was also able to get the better of his team-mate Robert Foster-Jones (Southend-on-Sea) who had already impressed during the weekend's earlier round nine.
Waved yellow flags greeted the field as they entered Clervaux for the second time as a result of Hylkema's stricken car. The leaders were all tightly bunched together as they did with Blomqvist in particular right on the back of Pa'l Kiss in attempt to regain his place.
It wasn't long though before Williamson began to pull clear and by one third race distance he had carved out more than a two second buffer over Stockinger. Also impressive in the midfield was Lyons who was able to keep team-mate Harry Tincknell (Exeter) at bay who was having a poor weekend by his standards and having to defend from Fortec Motorsport's David McDonald (Ewell). Graduate Cup driver Lynn was also not having things go his way with his car's pit lane speed limiter switching on at random causing him to fall down the order.
Out in front Williamson was continuing to push and earlier had set the NGK fastest lap of the race as Stockinger and third place Stevens had no reply to his consistent pace. With the chequered flag in sight, the top four looked incontestable but that certainly wasn't the case in the battle for fifth with Blomqvist still hungry to regain the place from Pa'l Kiss. On the penultimate lap the 16-year-old knew the Hairpin was his best chance to pass and out braked Pa'l Kiss to dart up the inside with Tama's yielding to the youngster's determined move.
The race belonged to Williamson though who punched the air with joy as he crossed the line for his second win of the year. Stockinger finished second with Stevens and Christodoulou behind him in third and fourth leaving Blomqvist to round off the top five. Gamberini meanwhile secured the Graduate Cup honours.
Delight for Stockinger...
Saturday's round nine saw Stockinger line the start grid as pole-sitter with Millroy alongside him with the two both enjoying their best ever qualifying positions. Blomqvist and Pa'l Kiss sat on row two as they and the rest of the field waited for the lights to go out for the start of the race.
When they did it was Stockinger who made the best start to lead followed by Millroy and Blomqvist. Pa'l Kiss and Foster-Jones followed next with Robert able to maintain his best ever grid start. After qualifying down the order, Williamson was keen to make up as many places as possible on the opening lap but was perhaps a little too eager and ran wide on a couple of occasions to fall towards the back of the pack.
Meanwhile Stockinger was quick to make the most of a clear track building a defendable cushion of more than a second. Millroy tried hard to stay with him and set the NGK fastest lap of the race on lap four – breaking the lap record in the process by more than half a second. As Millroy worked on closing the gap, third-place Blomqvist was also trying to close with fourth-place Pa'l Kiss now starting to drop away from the leading trio.
In the midfield, the focus was on Stevens and MacDonald who swapped places on more than one occasion. Foster-Jones and Hylkema were also enjoying a good battle for fifth and sixth places with the two often running nose-to-tail.
Despite reducing his lead slightly, Millroy was looking less likely to be able to mount a challenge on Stockinger who continued to post quick lap times in his Atech GP prepared car. The chequered flag was now in sight for Marlon who duly crossed the line to take a deserved lights-to-flag victory and become the first Filipino driver to win a Formula Renault UK race. Millroy finished second to claim his first podium with Blomqvist in third. Pa'l Kiss finished fourth with Foster-Jones enjoying a career best fifth while further down Lynn secured another class win in the Graduate Cup.
Commenting on his weekend a delighted Stockinger said: "It's been an excellent weekend for me and the team has done a great job in setting up the car. Round nine was really nerve-racking but I'm thrilled to finally secure a win especially given I've had a third place, a second place in the Winter Series and now my first win. It was a close fight in round 10 but I couldn't match Lewis' pace. This weekend has been a huge confidence boost for me though and I'm looking forward to the next rounds."
Round 10 race winner Williamson said: "After a nightmare day on Saturday where I was just trying too hard it's great to get the win. I concentrated on getting a good clean start which I did and then I just tried to edge away as soon as possible. This win hopefully made a great Father's Day present for my dad!"
Commenting on his maiden podium in round nine, Millroy said: "I knew the car would come on during the middle of the race so I really tried to push Marlon and force him into a mistake but then my rear tyres began to fade and I lost grip slightly. It's great to finally be on the podium though and credit has to go to the team for setting up the car."
Commenting on his third place in round nine, Blomqvist said: "This is my fourth consecutive podium so I guess I'm on a bit of a roll. I know I've got strong race pace but I just need to focus on turning it into a win."
Third place in round 10 Stevens added: "I'm happy with third and pleased to pull back some championship points over my main rivals who finished behind me. I did start to reel Marlon in during the race but I was never close enough to pass."
Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship take place at Norfolk's Snetterton circuit on 7th/8th August.
Media contact: Tom Phillips at Grovewood PR, tel: 0203 179 1957 or 07812 206260
E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
For all the latest Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk
Full result times available at www.tsl-timing.com
Copyright free images are available at www.jakobebrey.com/renault.
2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship provisional drivers' standings:
1 | Tama's Pa'l Kiss | HUN | Atech GP | 239 pts |
2 | Will Stevens | GBR | Manor Competition | 220 pts |
3 | Lewis Williamson | GBR | Manor Competition | 208 pts |
4 | Tom Blomqvist | SWE | Fortec Motorsport | 206 pts |
5 | Harry Tincknell | GBR | CRS Racing | 197 pts |
6 | Ollie Millroy | GBR | Manor Competition | 138 pts |
1 | Alex Lynn | GBR | Fortec Motorsport | 81 pts |
2 | Fabio Gamberini | BRA | Mark Burdett Motorsport | 59 pts |
Latest News: SUPER STOCKINGER LIGHTS UP CROFT! A stunning weekend for Atech Grand Prix's Marlon Stockinger
PRESS RELEASE: Sunday 20 June 2010
A stunning weekend for Atech Grand Prix's Marlon Stockinger netted two top three starts and maiden victory and second place in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Croft this weekend. Team-mate Tamás Pál Kiss maintains his lead at the top of the points table with fourth and sixth places while the team's third driver Briton Nick Yelloly drove a storming second race to finish just outside the top ten.
For 18 year-old Swiss-Filipino Stockinger, this weekend was without doubt his best ever in single-seater racing, which started with his maiden pole position in Saturday's first qualifying. He followed that up with the third fastest time in the second to give him a second row start for race two.
Marlon Stockinger on the podium after his maiden win.
Pál Kiss was next up of the Atech runners, earning himself fourth and seventh fastest times in the two sessions. Yelloly completed the line-up with two 14th places.
Race one got underway on Saturday afternoon with Stockinger making a superb getaway to take an immediate lead. For 15 laps the youngster made it look easy staying completely in control and fending off the challenge from second-placed Ollie Millroy to take his maiden victory. Behind him, a good start from Pál Kiss allowed him to maintain his start position and go on to finish just outside the final podium spot to hang on to his series lead.
Another fast starting performance by Yelloly allowed him up to 12th until a spin on lap three dropped him down the order. He went on to finish 16th.
Sunday's second race proved another success for Stockinger as he capitalised well on a problem for the pole-sitter Thomas Hylkema who struggled to get away at the lights. Thereafter Stockinger withstood some early pressure from third place Will Stevens but drove a mature and controlled race to take second place.
Marlon Stockinger leads the pack at the start of race one at
Croft going onto his maiden victory.
Behind the lead quartet Pál Kiss had got the jump on Tom Blomqvist and over the course of the 15 lapper the pair enjoyed a huge battle for fifth place. However suffering from oversteer during the latter part of the race, Tamás came under increasing pressure as his tyres went off allowing Blomqvist to relieve the Hungarian of the place two laps from home.
Yelloly too enjoyed a good second race, the 19 year-old moving up three places on the opening lap into 11th place. For the duration of the race Nick was pushed hard by Millroy but didn't put a wheel wrong, withholding the pressure and hanging on to get the place and gain more valuable championship points.
The performances from the trio over the weekend now see them all in the top eight in the standings, with Marlon moving ahead of Nick into seventh place and Tamás enjoying a 19 point advantage at the top.
Team Principal David Hayle was delighted with the performances of his drivers this weekend, the mid-way point in the championship.
"What a fantastic result for Marlon, the whole team is delighted for him, he didn't put a wheel wrong all weekend and this was our most consistent performance this season. Tamás has extended his lead at the top with two strong finishes and Nick once again showed an amazing race pace following two lightening starts.
"Now we must ensure we can nail qualifying for him as we head into the second half of the season as I have no doubt he is more than capable of challenging for race wins."
The series now enjoys a lengthy seven-week summer break in the schedule before it resumes with three rounds at Snetterton, replacing the rain-aborted race from Brands Hatch, over the weekend of 7/8 August.
Swiss Filipino Marlon Stockinger took his first FR podium at the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship
PRESS RELEASE: Monday 26 April 2010
Atech Grand Prix's Tamás Pál Kiss has moved into the lead of the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship points table after the Hungarian took victory and second place in the two rounds at Rockingham. Swiss Filipino Marlon Stockinger took his first FR podium, narrowly missing out on a second in race two but Briton Nick Yelloly was denied a podium finish when he was sidelined with a clutch problem.
The weekend kicked off well for the Silverstone-based team with all three drivers performing well in Friday's tests and Saturday's official qualifying, the trio all in the top six for the opening race. In that Pál Kiss made a good start to slot into second place ahead of Yelloly and Stockinger with pole-man Harry Tincknell in the lead.
However Tincknell's lead was short-lived with a charging Pál Kiss desperate to repeat his performance at Thruxton when he took his maiden series victory. On lap three the 18 year-old made his move to pass the leader with Yelloly and Stockinger holding third and fourth places.
On lap eight Marlon found a way past Nick to move into the final podium place, the pair battling over the position for several laps. However an engine problem, which started on the fourth lap forced the unfortunate Yelloly into retirement two laps from home.
Up at the front, Pál Kiss had gradually extended his lead to take his second win in three races with Stockinger following Tincknell across the line in third place.
The day's second race produced another strong drive from Pál Kiss despite proving a harder race for the Hell-backed teenager, as he took a well-deserved second place. Behind him a good start from Stockinger allowed him to move into third place until a throttle problem dropped him down the order, ultimately ending his race on lap four.
For Yelloly, a superb start saw him gain two places on the opening lap and thereafter a strong drive by the 18 year-old allowed him to take seventh, some consolation for his disappointing non finish in race one.
PodRock - Tamás (2nd from the right) and Atech Grand Prix team-mate
Marlon Stockinger(2nd from the left), who took his first Formula Renault podium finish.
"It was a great weekend again and I'm very happy to take another win," said Tamás. "Once again the team did a great job and I think all of us are all really strong now. With all three drivers being so close and competitive, it looks really good for all of us for the rest of the season."
Team principal David Hayle was equally delighted with the outcome. "Tamás once again drove exceptionally well and his second win of the season was very well deserved. Marlon was outstanding over the course of the weekend and this bodes well for the remaining races.
"Nick was unlucky to have the problem he had in the first race but his speed and ability over the remaining races will I'm sure allow him to soon take his first race win."
The Silverstone-based team will be back in action this weekend when the series resumes at Brands Hatch in Kent over the weekend of 1/2 May.
Silverstone-based ATECH GRAND PRIX CONFIRMS THREE-CAR FORMULA RENAULT ASSAULT
PRESS RELEASE: Wednesday 20th January 2010
Silverstone-based ATECH Grand Prix has confirmed a three-driver line-up for the 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. Swiss-Filipino Marlon Stockinger will be joined by Briton Nick Yelloly and Hungarian Tamás Pál Kiss in the 20 round championship which kicks off at Thruxton in April.
"I'm delighted to finally be able to announce our Formula Renault line-up." said Team principal David Hayle. "All three of the guys raced with us last season and showed a lot of promise particularly over the second half of the season. Having the continuity of the same team for a second season is a great situation to be in.
"Nick and Marlon's results in the end of season Winter Cup, together with their post-season testing performances have been very impressive. Tamás has been working hard in Hungary with his own car and team over the winter, so we head into our second season in the UK very much focused on achieving strong results."
Nineteen year-old Yelloly finished the Winter Cup as runner-up following four superb performances which netted him two podium finishes, four top six places. A podium finish and two further top five finishes for former BMW scholarship winner Stockinger earned him fifth place overall.
The team will commence an intensive test programme which kicks off later this month, prior to the opening rounds of the series, at the ultra-fast Thruxton circuit in Hampshire. Once again the UK's leading single-seater championship will support the prestigious Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
The full 2010 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship calendar is: 3/4 April Thruxton, 24/25 April Rockingham, 1/2 May Brands Hatch, 5/6 June Oulton Park, 19/20 June Croft, 7/8 August Snetterton, 21/22 August Silverstone, 4/5 September Knockhill, 18/19 September Silverstone, 9/10 October Brands Hatch.
Latest News: MAIDEN PODIUM FOR STOCKINGER The Hitech Junior Team continued its run of success
Press Release | Monday 9 November 2009 |
Another strong pace in pre-event testing saw the two 18 year-olds consistently among the pace-setters, Swiss Filipino Stockinger topping the times in the second of three sessions on Friday. In Saturday morning's qualifying session which would decide the grid for the two races, based on first and second quickest lap times, the pair each posted the third and fourth quickest times to give them a row two start for both rounds. |
Go online with Marlon in England, now driving HITECH JUNIOR with Renault Sport
MARLON STOCKINGER...HITECH JUNIOR with
Latest NEWS and update on Marlon's Website, we have changed the look a bit, added some new Photos and the new Racing Calendar is now up too.
Another NEW addition is the Photo Downloads; If you open his Website click on Marlon Stockinger Photo Downloads Logo this will bring you to his latest images from all his Test Drives and Racing Events in England. This site will always be updated and has the latest Photos, so why don't you check it out at: http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
Worst Snowfall in Britain since 20 years - but Marlon Stockinger is testing...!
We have just received the latest from Marlon Stockinger in Great Britain!
Worst Snowfall in Britain since 20 years - but Marlon Stockinger is testing...!
"We literally arrived with the last plane flying into London's Heathrow airport last February 1. After that everything stopped working: Airports, trains, Highways and even the famous London tube.
Rugged up, but a relaxed Marlon & now
dealing with Ice and Snow...
But not us: After a day or so we started testing at famous Olton Park circuit. It was just a matter of clearing away the snow and waiting for the ice to melt away at around 10 am before hitting the track.
February and March have a heavy testing schedule on all the tracks of the UK Renault Championship. The tracks are older, narrower and more challenging than most of the European and Asian circuits I know. You make a small mistake and you end up in the wall destroying the car as many of my competitors, team mates and myself experienced last week in a very fast and tricky circuit called Thruxton. All testing generally went very well and I am among the fastest, specially in the wet which is good because it rains a lot in England! If you had fast times on the track, every body knows right away in Silverstone: Your landlady, the bartender in the pub (only lemonade, please!) or the waiter in the restaurant…it's incredible, everything revolves around racing here.
Snow on the side of the track...
I am currently living in Silverstone near the famous track in a Bed & Breakfast together with other racers and my Hungarian team mate Tamas Pal Kiss.
The season starts with the first race in famous Brands Hatch on April 4/5 (my Birthday!) I am delighted to participate in a series that has produced such great champions like Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen.
Action in cold weather...
If time permits I will study between races at CATS College in Cambridge, the same college that Lewis Hamilton went to. Uhhh…that's the hard part!
And of course…I will try to visit the Philippines!"
Late NEWS from the Formula BMW and F1 Grand Prix in Singapore...
Latest NEWS from the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore
Round 12 Results.
Sechelariu takes first-ever win on Singapore street circuit.
Marina Bay, Singapore – It was a momentous occasion for Doru Sechelariu (ROM/Meritus) as the fifteen-year-old became the first-ever race winner on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
It was Sechelariu's first-ever Formula BMW victory and the Romanian – who now considers Singapore as his favourite circuit – won in convincing style, leading the entire way from Ollie Millroy (18/GBR/Motaworld) and Ross Jamison (18/HKG/Meritus). Australian Chris Wootton (19/AUS/Meritus) was the top Formula BMW Junior in fourth.
With Sechelariu and Millroy both guest drivers, and therefore not eligible to score points, series-leader Jamison took the full 20 points, plus the additional point for being on pole. Jamison had a 22-point lead coming to Singapore, and his result extends that advantage to 43 points over Sean McDonagh (19/USA/E-Rain).
BMW Junior Simon Moss (17/RSA/Mahara) failed to finish after picking up a puncture early on, meaning Wootton closes the gap between the pair in the Rookie Cup to just 10 points.
Jamison would have dearly loved to have taken his place in the history books, however he has his sights firmly set on the championship: "No racing driver likes getting beaten, but the strategy from the team was 'try your best, but don't do anything stupid,'" said Jamison, who started second on the grid before being passed by Millroy with seven laps to go.
Sechelariu, whose season's best had been fourth in Formula BMW Europe, was thrilled with his win.
"It's great," he said. "Before this weekend, I came here and thought I could be third or second, but not really win the race. On the first lap I had some nerves, but after I saw the gap, I started to become calm and didn't push over 100 per cent."
Off the start, Sechelariu got away well, followed by Jamison and Millroy. The drama began early on when Gabby Chaves (15/COL/Atlantic Racing Team) spun at Turn 1, allowing Wootton to move up to fourth. Chaves ended the race in eighth.
McDonagh, meanwhile, clipped the curb, spun and was out of the race in the first lap, a huge disappointment for the championship contender.
Moss puncture and resulting off brought out the Safety Car on the opening lap. At the restart, Millroy made his move on Jamison, getting by and holding on to second until the flag.
In the closing laps of the race, the Team Holzer PFX pair of Melvin Moh (20) and Dominic Ang (18) were dicing for position, and the Malaysians ended taking each other out.
Chaves meanwhile, who was working his way back up through the field, had a look at getting by BMW Junior Marlon Stöckinger (17/PHI/Eurasia Motorsport). Stöckinger, who has been suffering from dehydration following a stomach problem, defended his line but spun off into the unforgiving barriers.
Ryuichi Nara (20/JPN/E-Rain) finished fifth, seven-tenths of a second behind Wootton, and guest driver Rio Haryanto (15/IDN/Pacific Racing) finished sixth on his Formula BMW Pacific debut.Rookie Aditya Patel (20/IND/Eurasia Motorsport) put in a stellar performance to work his way up from the back of the grid and finish seventh. Having closed the gap in the Rookie Cup standings, Wootton is looking forward to the next race tomorrow (Sunday), where he believes he can gain further ground: "I love my chances because he's a bit further back and I start in fourth position," Wotton said. "So long as I make it around the first corner and get a good start, I think I can have a strong race."
For Millroy, who after joining Formula BMW Pacific for the final five rounds of the season, Saturday's race was his first podium this season."We wanted to end the year on a high," said Millroy, who completed a season in Formula BMW Europe. "I came here with a fresh head."Sechelariu is on pole for Round 13 of Formula BMW Pacific, with Millroy starting alongside.
*Scholarship driver
•Rookie Cup
#Non-Series Registered
Pole Position: Doru SECHELARIU/Meritus/2:21.843
Fastest Lap: Ross Jamison/Meritus/2:21.842
Championship Points Tables after Round 12.
1.Ross Jamison (HKG/Meritus) 171 points; 2. Sean McDonagh (KOR/Team E-Rain) 128 points; 3. Simon Moss (RSA/Mahara) 90 points; 4. Ryuichi Nara (JPN/Team E-Rain) 83 points; 5. Melvin Moh (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 82 points; 6. Chris Wootton (AUS/Meritus) 80 points; 7. Gabriel Chaves (COL/Atlantic Racing Team) 70 points; 8. Marlon Stöckinger (PHI/Eurasia Motorsport) 61 points; 9. Imran Shaharom (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 51 points; 10. Aditya Patel (IND/Eurasia Motorsport) 49 points; 11. Arvin Roslan (MAS/Meritus) 40 points; 12. Dominic Ang (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 38 points; 13. Tasmin Pepper (RSA/Meritus) 22 points; 14. Huzair Harun Rasip (MAS/Mahara) 7 points; 15. Omer Younas (PAK/Team E-Rain) 1 point.
Rookie Cup
1.Moss; 2. Wootton; 3. Stöckinger; 4. Patel; 5.Roslan; 6. Ang; 7. Younas.
1.Meritus, 311 points; 2. Team E-Rain, 205 points; 3. Team Holzer PFX, 170 points; 4. Eurasia Motorsport, 110 points; 5. Mahara, 95 points; 6. Atlantic Racing Team, 70 points
Winners 2008: Jamison (4); Moss (2); Nara (2); McDonagh (2); Moh (1); Sechelariu (1)
Pole Positions: Moss (2); McDonagh (6); Nara (1); Moh (1); Jamison (1); Sechelariu (2)
Podiums: Jamison (9); Moss (4); Patel (1); McDonagh (6); Moh (4); Chaves (1); Nara (3); Manzur (1); Stöckinger (1); Wootton (4); Sechelariu (1); Millroy (1)
Rookie Cup Winners: Moss (5); Stöckinger (3); Roslan (1); Wootton (3)
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level series in formula racing. In 2008 the three Formula BMW series – Formula BMW Europe, Formula BMW Pacific and Formula BMW Americas – will be held in the key motor sport markets of Europe, pan-Asia and North and South America. The end of the year will see the Formula BMW World Final staged for the fourth time, this time at Mexico City's "Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez" from the 5th to the 7th December. The winner will be granted the opportunity of a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
Formula BMW will be held on the undercard of Formula One on 12 occasions. The series gives young racing talents the chance to enter professional motor sport in a safe racing car – the Formula BMW FB02.
The FB02 has been in use since season 2002. It is powered by a 140 hp BMW engine that takes it to a top speed of up to 230 km/h. It ranks among the safest vehicles in its category and exceeds the FIA safety regulations that govern this class of car. Innovations such as the FORS (Formula Rescue Seat) were developed by BMW Motorsport specifically for Formula BMW. Following Formula One, Formula BMW was the first single-seater series outside the US in which the HANS system was made mandatory.
Formula BMW drivers have the opportunity to take part in an Education and Coaching Programme that runs parallel with the racing season. The programme includes driver coaching at the races by professional race drivers, attending a Formula One test, fitness courses, tuition in driving technique and strategy, as well as seminars on sponsoring and sport management.
Among the 20 team drivers in this season's Formula One, there are now four Formula BMW graduates: Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock. The test and reserve drivers add three more to the tally, namely Christian Klien, Sebastien Buemi and Nicolas Hülkenberg.
In the words of BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "With our worldwide Formula BMW concept, we offer drivers and teams a platform which, in this format, is unprecedented in a junior series and which allows them to benefit from our Formula One involvement. Through Formula BMW the drivers are equipped with the tools they need to assert themselves successfully in the world of professional motor racing."
Note to editors:
Information and copyright free Formula BMW images for press purposes will be available at the BMW Motorsport Press Club at www.press.bmw-motorsport.com (no registration is required).
Formula BMW Indonesia: The Sentul track is quite technical and it took me a little longer than usual to get to grips with it.
"Last weekend I was sick with a bad cold and not really up to form the way I had wanted it. The Sentul track is quite technical and it took me a little longer than usual to get to grips with it.
For the latest and NEW images just go to the Gallery or click the Image above.
Big crowd at the Sentul race track...
Therefore my qualifying times were not so fast and I had to start the first two races from 8th and 9th position respectively. The first two races on Saturday did not really go well and I had an accident in race two by colliding with a competitor on the start finish line. Not much damage was done to my car but I couldn't finish the race. This kept me down at the end of the starting grid for the other two races on Sunday which went slightly better. Finally my lap times were at par with the front runners, but I had a hard time making my way up through the field since everybody was fiercely defending their positions and I ended up in 6th and 7th position respectively. Well, not such a great race weekend to remember. I will now just concentrate on the three guest races in Europe ahead of me - starting with the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix next week - and try to prepare myself for the next rounds of the Formula BMW Pacific series in Singapore, supporting the first F1 night race on September 27 and 28."
Marlon's Travel log continues...now I am off to the Sentul Circuit near Jakarta, Indonesia, for the next Formula BMW Pacific race as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and after that I travel back to Europe and start my 3 race guest stint in the BMW Europe series in Budapest, Valencia and Spa."
"Between all my activities in Europe I had a few days in Zurich, Switzerland. I was invited to an event of the Gody Naef Fan Club. Racing is supposedly for young people. But check this out:
Gody is Europe's most senior race driver! He is 88 years young and invited me for a ride in his Vintage Amil car. My God he throws that car around...! I had to hold on cause I feared to fall out and - beginners mistake - bruised my elbow on the old timers tires. They are right next to you when you sit in it. Look at the pictures. Gody still races hill climbs in all sorts of cars and I remember watching him a few years ago together with my dad racing up the Alps in a red Chevy Corvette convertible.
Watch your elbows! Specially in vintage automobiles like Gody Naef's Amilcar
for more Photos of Marlon and Gody Naef and the cool vintage car
click on the image above or this link.
Now I am on his website in the 'Friends of Gody' section right next to Peter Sauber. Well if that's not being famous...!
Check out his website @ Go to www.godynaef.ch he is Europe's oldest race driver.
Many thanks also to Hansueli 'Joeggi' Rihs, founder and co-owner of Swiss high tech company Phonak Hearing Systems, also a friend of Gody and the organizer of his fan club.
I had difficulties from the beginning of this year with the ear plugs of my in-helmet team radio. It is crucial for the communication between driver and team during races, like: team to driver: 'careful there is a carabao (water buffalo) crossing the track at turn five, reduce speed!'...joking...I have actually experience goats, dogs and lizzards...specially on the infamous Batangas Racing Circuit near Manila!
My new friend: 88 years young Swiss racing legend Gody Naef
for more Photos of Marlon and Gody Naef and the cool vintage car
click on the image above or this link.
Mr. Rihs was kind enough to organize the tailor making of special ear plugs for me that reduce sound clutter but still let you hear vital engine sound. That's very important for a racer! The plugs now also fit snugly into my ears inside the helmet and don't hurt anymore. The team at Phonak did a perfect job producing and fitting the plugs in the short time I stayed in Zurich.
Thanks again to them and special thanks to Joeggi Rihs!
Now I am off to the Sentul Circuit near Jakarta, Indonesia, for the next Formula BMW Pacific race as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and after that I will travel back to Europe and start my 3 race guest stint in the BMW Europe series in Budapest, Valencia and Spa."
Wow...Marlon's Travel Log continous..."After the visit to the F1 test in Spain my Dad, Chris and I travelled by car to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Spa is the World's most exciting race track.
"After the visit to the F1 test in Spain my Dad, Chris and I travelled by car to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Spa is the World's most exciting race track. Every racer loves it and it is a privilege to be able to drive there. I am not absolutely sure, but I might be the first Filipino race driver ever to race on this famous European track!
Wow, this is the best roller coaster I've been on...
for more on "Marlon's latest Photos"click the image.
It is a great 'nature track' located in the middle of a big forest with trees all around. These have been safely removed from the corners of the track in recent history and run offs were constructed. In former times the track was quite dangerous. It goes up and down with altitude differences of more than 600 meters! When you come up the famous 'Eau Rouge' curve, you shoot up into the sky and soon after go steeply downhill and turn into an extremely fast left hander. When you see these curves during F1 races on TV you don't realize how steep it actually is! You experience constantly negative and lateral G-Forces that push you into the seat and to the sides of the cockpit.
With Chris Wassermann and Italian mechanic Maurizio in Spa,
for more on "Marlon's latest Photos"click the image.
I did quite well during the two half-day tests I was allowed to do and placed constantly in the top five or ten. Not bad since the best drivers are supposed to be in the BMW Europe series. So I think I will be able to do well during my guest races in summer, even so I was not allowed to do more testing because the testing for guest drivers in another BMW series is very limited."
More BMW NEWS from Marlon, "After my visit to the BMW F1 factory in Switzerland...plus cool images from Spain including Robert Kubica...
"After my visit to the BMW F1 factory in Switzerland, all of us flew down to Barcelona in sunny Spain to observe one full F1 test day. We were issued head phones, so we could listen in to the team radio and follow the conversation between Robert Kubica and his race engineer during testing.
At the Circuit de Catalunya... click on the images
and go direct to Marlon's latest Photos on this Blog
It's actually ten of us from around the world who were chosen as BMW Juniors and we got to know each other a little better during the day. In the evening Simon, Mike - a family friend of his - my dad and me went to a fantastic Spanish restaurant in town where also Nelson Piquet Jr. was having dinner.
The day was actually pretty relaxed. We had lunch in the F1 team's tent and were interviewed together with Robert Kubica at the end of the day.
Robert Kubica in the pit garage...click on the images
and go direct to Marlon's latest Photos on this Blog.
My dad and I flew then back to Zurich from where we were planning to go to Spa, the famous race circuit in Belgium, where I was going to test for my guest race there in September..."
Being one of the chosen BMW Juniors, I was recently invited to visit the BMW Formula One factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.
@ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/blog.html
or go to Marlon's website:@ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
The chosen ones. BMW Juniors at the BMW F1 Factory
in Hinwil, Switzerland
"Being one of the chosen BMW Juniors, I was recently invited to visit the BMW Formula One factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.
We were given an extensive seminar on racing technique, aerodynamics and car set up by Mike Strottmann a former BMW touring car racer himself and other experts from the factory.
Extremely interesting was also the tour of the factory including the museum and the high tech wind tunnel, which is so important for the development of F1 aerodynamics.
F1 Engine secrets revealed by the expert
A Formula One car is actually not a car as most people perceive it: It is actually an airplane flown upside down. If you race through a tunnel you could actually drive along the ceiling and it would stick! The only problem is how to get it there without crashing at 300 km/h. The engineer who gave us the lesson on aerodynamics had been crazy enough to volunteer but management refused because of safety concerns.
Set up and driving technique lesson by BMW Touring
car driver Mike Strottmann
The wind tunnel is managed by the second most powerful computer in the world: Albert. It is really huge, something like 20 x 2 x2 meters, like computers used to be 50 years ago, but as powerful as they are today! Only NASA has a bigger one. It works 24/7 and calculates billions of ways every day how air could flow over the car in a way that it gives the right mix between downforce and drag or wind resistance. That's why the cars have little wings all over and look so alien. But next year there will be more restrictions and cars will look more similar again to give the teams a more level playing field and increase competition on the track instead of in the factory, which is better for spectators, since only few people have the opportunity to go inside an F1 factory. Even we were not allowed to go inside the actual tunnel. Top secret!"
Marlon Stockinger and Simon Moss checking out
Nick Heidtfeldt's Steering Wheel at the BMW F1
Factory in Hinwil, Switzerland
Marlon Stockinger is in Barcelona Spain...plus some Formula BMW facts and information...
© Gunther Deichmann - Sunset in Barcelona Spain
Marlon Stockinger is in Barcelona Spain right now, we have more information and photos shortly...in the meantime here are some facts about the FORMULA BMW but you can also visit his website for all the latest images and information @ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
Proven Entry-Level Formula.
Exciting races, first-class promotion, talented competitors: since its inception Formula BMW has established itself as the world's premier entry level single-seater formula. There are numerous reasons for the concept's success:
Equal Opportunity: Stable and internationally accepted sporting and technical regulations are a cornerstone of Formula BMW.
International Reach: Series in America, Europe and in the Pacific Rim ensure Formula BMW retains its status as the universal starter formula.
Maximum Value: Multiple races per event and a test ban outside the official test days during the season guarantee quantifiable budgets and maximum race experience.
Education and Coaching: A dedicated programme prepares drivers fore their future careers through a wide range of on- and off- the track subjects.
Formula BMW Juniors: The Rookie Cup winner from the previous season plus three further recipients stand to participate in this exclusive scholarship.
Prominent Role Models: During 2007 no less than six former Formula BMW drivers – Sebastian Vettel, Timo Glock, Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Ralf Schumacher und Christian Klien – actively participated in Formula One.
© Tom Stockinger - Marlon been interviewed after his successful race
recently in Sepang Malaysia, for more info, press release & photos
click on the image above.
Superb Support.
Driver talent remains the biggest single contributor to success. Accordingly, the promotion of young talent has long been a BMW tradition. The BMW Education and Coaching Program is designed to smooth the transition from karting to single-seater racing.
Support: The four most promising talents each stand to receive a Formula BMW Junior support package worth Euro 50 000.
Exemplary Coaching: Professional race drivers provide personalized coaching on ideal lines and optimal set-ups.
Fit for All: Before during and after the season all drivers receive fitness schedules and sport nutrition programs.
Media Professionals: Seminars on sponsors and Media Relations seminars keep Formula BMW drivers up to speed with the latest techniques.
One for All.
All Formula BMW drivers are equipped with the Formula BMW FB02 incorporating numerous safety features. This 10 bhp race car, where advantage can only be gained by selection of the correct aerodynamic and suspension settings, is standard across the board.
First Class Safety: The carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, wheel retention tethers, special head restraint and HANS system all draw on F1 technology
Powerful Heart: With its low centre of gravity and high-revving nature, the reliable and cost-effective 1.2 liter engine provides the optimal power unit.
Ultra-sensitive: Defined parameters guarantee a level playing field whilst rewarding fine tuning and perfect set-up.
Cost-effective: The basic price of the vehicle is subsidized by BMW Motorsport in order to further support the series' entry level concept.
Moving up to the next level.
The regions most competitive entry-level-series acknowledges the international diversity of teams and drivers in and beyond Asia, by renaming the series to Formula BMW Pacific. Entry is open to drivers aged 15 and up. The best newcomer will be crowned Rookie Cup Champion, and qualify for Formula BMW Junior status in the next season.
Effective testing: A test ban outside the official test days ensures equality of competition. Considerable cost savings can be achieved by incorporating official test days into race weekends.
Centralized logistics: The entire equipments is consolidated and shipped into 40" high cube containers, to assure international sporting and economical equality.
Premium Hospitality: The Formula BMW hospitality is in line with the first-class Formula One environment. The Formula BMW Pacific guests will be given a privileged look behind the scenes of Formula BMW and Formula One.
Increased level of international competition: 2008 is Formula BMW's sixth year in Asian-Pacific region since its establishment in 2003. A grid of 20 drivers and an increasing number of teams from Asia-Pacific and Europe are expected to lined up for the 2008 Championship.
Race Calendar 2008.
Prestigious Asian race events and high profile Formula 1 events, such as the inaugural F1 Grand Prix in Singapore, and the unique F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Mount Fuji, form the Formula BMW Pacific race calendar.
Formula One in Focus.
All drivers competing in Formula BMW have set themselves the highest possible target: Formula One . Through the relationship between Formula BMW and the world's top motorsport category, teams and drivers alike stand to profit by competing in the most successful of all entry-level series.
Top Class: Formula BMW Pacific will start on the supporting bills of several rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Worldwide Focus: Drivers will perform in front of the world's largest motorsport audiences, the most influential professionals and hundreds of international media representatives.
Excursion to F1: In depth discussion with experts from BMW Sauber F1 Team, F1 paddock visits and a visit to the BMW Sauber AG factory in Switzerland are just a few of the activities on the curriculum.
Attractive: Television marketing via Formula One Management promises teams and drivers a multi-faceted TV distribution platform.
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Stockinger Top Formula BMW Rookie Finisher in Action Packed Races, you can also find him now on You Tube... the TV coverage from last week, clips from his early days in Karting...
Marlon Stockinger, sponsored by BMW and Swiss Private Bank Sarasin, put in a stellar performance last weekend at the Sepang International Grand Prix Circuit in Malaysia, where Asia Pacific's Finest young racers gathered for a four-day race meeting. After struggling in the opening rounds of this year's Formula BMW Pacific Championship during the recent F1 Grand Prix in Sepang, he is gaining confidence with each outing. "I made some smart overtaking moves and quick lap times. The team (Eurasia Motorsport) did an excellent job, the car felt great and it was really enjoyable. I think I am making progress. It helps build my morale and I can look towards the front of the field with confidence", says Stockinger.
Photo © Composite - Gunther Deichmann
Some of the most intense action the series has seen so far this season unfolded in round 5 of the meeting where Stockinger was involved in a five-car fight behind the leading trio of Nara (Japan), Jamison (Hong Kong) and McDonagh (USA). When BMW Europe guest driver Manzur (UK) made a successful move on Stockinger, the battle of the race commenced with Manzur, Moh (Malaysia) and Wootton (Australia) locked in a furious chase. That allowed Stockinger and Chaves (Columbia) to close in on the trio and enter the fray. Moh was a casualty and ended up in the gravel after coming together with Manzur. Wootton was also caught up in the fray and eventually finished down the field in 10th.
Stockinger was the winner of the five-car fight, crossing the line in 4th, ahead of Manzur and Chaves.
In the last race of the weekend pole sitter McDonagh got away badly and team mate Nara grabbed the lead. Initially McDonagh stayed with Nara at the front, but Stockinger got by to go to 2nd from starting in 4th position by the end of the opening lap. Malaysia's Arvin Roslan was running well in 4th, but had a big off on the second lap which brought out the safety car on the following lap. That bunched up the field, with Nara leading the pack followed by Stockinger.
Photo © Tom Stockinger
Nara was away well when the safety car pulled off with Stockinger skillfully slipping into his tow and pulling away from the rest of the field. However, the unshakable Nara took the flag to record a superb second victory, joined on the podium by the triumphant BMW Juniors Stockinger in 2nd and Wootton in 3rd place. Due to the great results for this weekend Stockinger advanced from 5th to 2nd place behind Simon Moss of South Africa in the rookie classification and from 12th to 5th place in the overall drivers classification for the 2008 championship.
"Do we see a win soon?", asked commentator Jonathan Green the young gun in the post race interview. Answer: "Yes, we're gonna go for it!" The statement was supported by the happy smiles of the all Filipino crew of mechanics and team principal Mark Goddard of Eurasia Motorsport.
Photo © Gunther Deichmann
The final race rounded out a superb weekend of competition, which saw a field made up of drivers from no fewer than six continents. The 2008 Formula BMW Pacific season continues in July, when the region's finest young single seater racers will travel to Indonesia's Sentul Circuit outside Jakarta. After that, Stockinger will join the European Formula BMW support races of the Formula One rounds in Hungary (Hungaro Ring), Spain (Valencia) and Belgium (Spa) as a guest racer, before competing in Formula BMW Pacific again during the historic first Singapore F1 night race in September.