SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR FIRHAT AND MERITUSGP
KUALA LUMPUR (NOV 3, 2009): Firhat Mokhzani is no stranger to success.
The owner of MeritusGP, Asia's most successful motorsports team, has been
behind every one of the team's 34 international titles in the past 13
years, but even he took some time to savour the latest two crowns in
MeritusGP's trophy cabinet.
On a bleak and gloomy rainy day at the Okayama International Circuit in
Japan, on Sunday, the future of Questnet Team Qi-MeritusGP shone brightly
as it clinched its seventh consecutive Formula BMW Pacific team title
while 16-year-old Rio Haryanto won the driver's crown.
It was brilliant achievement for the Malaysian team as many had doubted
its strategy of going for two young drivers would pay off. But the gamble
proved worth while as Rio won six of the first 10 races of the season,
including five on a bounce. Rio's winning streak came to an end when the
guest drivers from Eurointernational, made up of Formula BMW Europe and
Formula BMW Americas champions entered the last four rounds.
Rio, however, scored maximum points in those four races as guest drivers
are not eligible to collect points. He finished second three times and
fifth once. His partner, 14-year-old Dustin Sofyan collected points in 13
of the 14 races. There is one only more race in Macau on Nov 22.
"This year's victory is probably the sweetest of all as not many expected
MerituGP to continue its winning tradition," said a delighted Firhat. "We
knew it would be a big risk fielding drivers who are only 14 and 16 but
we could see their talent right from day one.
"It was a tremendous team effort and I must congratulate the 100 per cent
Malaysian crew, who proved once again that they are the best in the
business."
Firhat said Rio actually surpassed his expectations by winning so many
races and showed just what he is capable of when he gave the Formula BMW
Europe and Americas drivers a run for their money.
As for Dustin, Firhat said: "Dustin actually did quite a good job as he
scored points in 13 of the 14 races. People forget he is still very young
and I'm more than happy with his contribution to the team. I believe he
will become an even better driver next year, after having a season under
his belt."
-credit: meritus
