TrackRecord - F4 SEA - 2016 - review by TrackRecord

Janua ry 201 7

Issue 7

Akash Godwa

Faine Kahia

Presley Martono

Official Magazine of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship

MERITUS Awards Gala 2016 Sepang International Circuit 22nd January 2017

Table of contents

Table of Contents 3

MAG Schedule

Sunday 22nd January...

Meritus Awards Gala 2016

MAG Award Recipients 2016

What is F4

Launched in 2014, FIA Fo...

05 15 11 09 06 20 22

vent 1

Event 2

Event 3

Event 4

Event 5

Event 6

ang, Malaysia

Clark, Philippines

Sentul, Indonesia

Sepang, Malaysia

Buriram, Thailand

Sepang, Malaysia

MERITUS Award Gala Sepang, Malaysia

2016 Calendar

In its inaugural season...

Presley Martono

MAG Schedule

MERITUS Awards Gala 2016

Development of Malaysian...

MAG Award Recipients

F4SEA 2016 Standing

F4SEA 2016 Points Breakdo...

F4SEA Entry List

Drivers Bio

Event 6 Report

Event 6 - FP &Qualifying

Event 6 - Race 1 Highlights

Event 6 - Race 2 Highlights

Event 6 - Race 3 Highlights

Event 6 - Race 4 Highlights

Gowda

Event 6 - Race 5 Highlights

Event 6 - Race 6 Highlight

What is F4

F4SEA 2016 Calendar

Sunday 22nd January 2017, 1900 - Guests Arrival and registration...

Monday, 22 January 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; After 36 races and six events, the Form...

Interview with Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha Chairman...

1. Danial N. Frost MAG Nasional Rising Star Award Singapore ...

1. Presley Martono #32 Indonesia Meritus.GP 565. 2. Faine Kahia...

The F4SEA Championship positions are based on the best 30 driver...

Faine Kahia

Amongst the large pool of young aspiring go-karters from the regio...

The third event in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship got...

After completing five events in its inaugural season, the sixth and...

Free Practice & Qualifying (Dry) - With the drivers' day commencing...

Race 1 (10 Laps, Dry) - With the main championship protagonists in...

Race 2 (Dry, 8 Laps) - After a short turnaround, the drivers were back...

Race 3 (8-Laps, Dry) - With the grid positions determined by the...

Race 4 (10-Laps, Dry) - The driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; second fastest lap time in...

Race 5 (8 Laps, Dry) - An early start for penultimate race of the...

Race 6 (Dry, 8 Laps, top 50% reversed) With the grid positions...

Launched in 2014, FIA Formula 4 has been created to offer young...

In its inaugural season, the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship...

Akash

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Event Schedule

Sunday 22nd January 2017 1915 1945 2000 2023 2030

1940 2000 2015 2030 2045

Guests Arrival and registration Arrival of dignitaries VIP arrivals Welcome remarks Speech by Mr. Peter Thompson, Chairman, Triple A MERITUS Awards Gala Intro & Event Champions Video: National Rising Star Awards MAG National Rising Star Singapore: Danial Frost MAG National Rising Star Oman: Khalid Al-Wahaibi MAG National Rising Star New Zealand: Faine Kahia

Intermission

2112 2030

Event Champions Video: National Rising Star Awards commence MAG National Rising Star Indonesia: Presley Martono MAG National Rising Star India: Akash Gowda MAG National Rising Star Malaysia: Isyraf Danish MERITUS Awards Gala Formula 4SEA Rookie Champion MAG F4/SEA Rookie Champion: Presley Martono (Indonesia, 717 points) MAG F4/SEA Rookie 2nd Place: Isyraf Danish (Malaysia, 486 points) MAG F4/SEA Rookie 3rd Place: Khalid Al-Wahaibi (Oman, 434 points) MERITUS Awards Gala Formula 4 SEA Overall Awards (Top three) MAG F4/SEA Overall Champion: Presley Martono (Indonesia, 565 points) MAG F4/SEA Overall 2nd Place: Faine Kahia (New Zealand, 563 points) MAG F4/SEA Overall 3rd Place: Akash Gowda (India, 457 points)

Intermission

2125 2140

Outstanding Achievement in Motorsports by an ASEAN driver Award MERITUS Award Gala Outstanding Achievement in Motorsports by an ASEAN driver: Â Jazeman Jaafar (Malaysia) Outstanding Achievement in Motorsports by an ASEAN driver Award MERITUS Award Gala ASEAN Driver of the year: Rio Haryanto (Indonesia) Outstanding Achievement in Motorsports by an ASEAN driver Award MAG Lifetime Achievement Award: YM Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha, Chairman AAM

2155

2200

Meritus AAA Futuro Spirit Award End of awards ceremony Press Interviews with winners End of Programme

Meritus Awards Gala preview

Meritus Awards Gala 2016 Overall Champion (565 points, INA, Car #32) who pipped New Zealand’s Faine Kahia (563 points, NZL, Car #55) by just two points. Rounding off the top three was India’s Akash Gowda (457 points, IND, Car #33). The trio will each receive a GP2 test drive, with Kahia also getting a works Lamborghini GT3 test, while Martono will receive significant funding to progress his career.

Firhat Mokhzani ( Managing Director - Triple A)

“The 36th and final race of the inaugural season was the most intense of the lot, especially with the pressure of the drivers’ championship and the drivers drove an extremely great race. Looking back, there were a lot of tough racing all round and the drivers have all grown and developed throughout the competition. It has been really satisfying to see their progress throughout the season and congratulations to Presley for becoming the first ever F4/SEA overall and rookie champion. Congratulations to all the drivers in the first F4/SEA season as they have all done exceptionally well.”

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Martono also claimed the Overall Rookie title after a stellar season which saw the teenager rack up a total of 717 points. In the runners’ up position was Malaysian youngster and formula racing debutant Isyraf Danish M Ghazali (MAS, Car #19) who finished the season with 486 points. He finished the championship on a high note, with six podium finishes from the six races contested at the weekend, including a maiden race victory. In third place in the F4/SEA rookie standings was Oman’s Khalid Al-Wahaibi (OMN,

Car #8) who came away from the season with 434 points. The inaugural MERITUS Awards Gala also saw awards handed out in the National Rising Star categories for the nations represented in the first F4/SEA season. These included awards to Singapore’s Danial Frost (SIN, Car #66), Oman’s Al-Wahaibi, Kiwi Kahia, Martono for Indonesia, Gowda for India and Isyraf Danish as Malaysia’s rising star.

Peter Thompson (Chairman - Triple A)

Peter Thompson, Chairman, Asian Autosport Action Group: “It has been an amazing first season of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship. In the time that we took to build this from the ground up together with the AAM as the lead FIA-affiliate for the region, to close out the season with the MERITUS Awards Gala tonight has truly surpassed our wildest imaginations. After a truly intense 36-race, 6-event first season, I am very proud of what these young drivers have all achieved. They have grown and developed into an exceptional group of young talents, one that I hope others can also see and recognise. Congratulations to Presley Martono for taking the overall and Rookie titles, Faine Kahia and Akash Gowda as our overall top-3, also to Isyraf and Khalid Al-Wahaibi as the second and third placed overall rookies!”

In celebrating the future of motorsports, the event champions from each of the six events were also given a mention. These included Frost who became the first ever F4/SEA Star Driver at the opening event in August; Gowda, following his impressive performance at Event 2 at the Clark International Speedway in the Philippines; Martono for dominating Event 3 on home soil at the Sentul International Circuit; Jordan Love (AUS, Car #79) at Event 4 in Sepang; Kahia, after a superb run at the Buriram International Circuit for Event 5 and Isyraf Danish as the season finale Event 6 Star Driver. Recognising the spirit of young motor racing talents, awards were also handed out to Malaysia’s Jazeman Jaafar for his outstanding achievement in motorsports by an ASEAN driver; and Rio Haryanto of Indonesia as the ASEAN

Driver of the Year, following his extraordinary achievements including becoming Indonesia’s first ever Formula 1 driver. In recognising the extraordinary, exceptional and continuous contribution to Malaysian and regional motorsports, the MERITUS Awards Gala also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Yang Mulia Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha, Chairman of the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) and the only Malaysian to sit on the world senate at the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile). The event also saw the introduction of the MERITUS AAA Futuro Spirit Award, which will come into effect from the forthcoming F4/SEA season, With a significant prize of RM 1 million to assist their career progression, the 2017 drivers will have a huge incentive to keep them motivated.

Meritus Awards Gala preview

Good evening Tunku, Tunku, Dato, Dato, friends, families, parents, drivers, international Media and of course Farah. Welcome to the first Meritus Awards Gala. We started Meritus the race team in Malaysia 25 years ago. Now, with 36 Asian championship titles, Meritus is an established Asian international motorsport brand. Our champions have gone on to race in F1, win in GP2, and GP3. Win the 24 hours of LeMans, and win the Indy500. We created the Meritus Awards to help profile and promote the Asian Autosport Ecosystem and our driver development programmes. Out aim is to motive, reward and inspire our champions on each step of the FIA ladder from Karting to F1 via F4, F3 and F2 Asia in Asia. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;is F1 Your Dream?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I hope that our passion and the Meritus Awards will help inspire our drivers to keep focused on their dreams. We encourage young drivers from all over the world to use the alternative Asian route to F1 - F4 SEA Much appreciation and thanks for traveling to Sepang tonight Please enjoy the awards.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Meritus Awards Gala preview

The recipient of this award is a singularly exceptional man. He is a man who has dedicated and sacrificed his life for a passion for motor racing that is absolutely undeniable and unquestionable. His tenacity and patience has seen him work continuously and tirelessly after turning his passion and love for fast cars into his field of expertise. In his position as Chairman of the national sporting authority, his efforts have seen him go above and beyond to promote and activate the sport on both the two and four wheels, from junior entry go-karters to the highest levels of motor racing in Malaysia and throughout the south east Asian region and even beyond. Despite the unrelenting pace, his work has seen this man recognised at the international level as the only Malaysian on the world senate at the Federation international de lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Automobile (FIA). Now, with the international automobile governing body pushing for greater safety through its decade of action with global road safety campaigns, this gentleman has taken and merged his love for the sport and the passion for safety to yet another level. Through his relentless pursuit of excellence in governance and management of all aspects of motorsport at every level, it is my humble honour to award the Meritus Awards Gala 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Yang Mulia Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha, Chairman of the Automobile Association of Malaysia.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Meritus Awards Gala preview

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Development of Malaysian motorsport accele...

Development of Malaysian Motorsport Accelerates Interview with Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha Chairman Automobile Association of Malaysia

2016 marks the beginning of a new era in the Asian motorsports landscape, particularly for Malaysia with the birth of the brand new Formula 4 South East Asia Championship or F4SEA. Set to commence in the second half of 2016, the F4SEA is poised to become the premier developmental platform for young go-karters to make the transition to single-seater open-wheel formula racing category. Taking on the role as the F4SEA championship’s lead FIA affiliate for the Southeast Asian region is Malaysia’s Automobile Association of Malaysia or AAM. The inception of the brand new championship comes amidst the FIA’s continued efforts to streamline the different formula racing categories. With the continuous efforts to further develop of the region’s motorsports landscape through the creation of the new F4SEA, we caught up with the Chairman of AAM, His Highness Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha. F4SEA: Are you satisfied with the price tag of the F4 SEA?

F4SEA: Your Highness, are you satisfied with the growth of motorsport in Asia? Yes, it is growing at a fast pace now with the involvement of so many young people racing in the country and out of the country from go-kart racing to F1. Go-Kart has existed for a long time. Even I raced go-kart.

I won many times in go-kart. Then I was Malaysian rally champion with Nissan three times. I am glad to see what is happening here with the Formula 4 as the first steppingstone towards F1. The FIA has backed this Formula and I believe this is how and where we are going to find the future Formula 1 driver of Malaysia.

The way the FIA has goine about doing this is very good – particularly in controlling the prices. The price that the promoters and organisers of the F4SEA, Triple A have come up with is very good. At Euros 100,000, this price is really good. It is a safe and inexpensive racing formula for the beginners. Naturally, we do not want to compare ourselves with the big boys. But we are going upwards very fast. Some drivers in the past, Jazeman Jaafar, Alex Yoong have spent millions to go from lower levels to international formulas and F1. It is very good to have an inexpensive championship like this one and the process like this one was not easy to set-up.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

F4SEA: Coming back to the new championship, F4SEA: Speaking about the setup process, did Triple A and you prepare and work on the F4 SEA what is beyond F4SEA in the bigger picture? project for a long time? FIA has taken a more proactive approach in talent development, particularly in streamlining We did not want to be left behind when the the progression steps. The F4SEA fits perfectly rest of the world is progressing. But, it is a very in the scheme of things. From F4, drivers can challenging project and did take a long time to make the next step up, which is F3. Then it is F2 prepare. After a long time, the F4SEA is now set and then F1. Naturally, money opens the door. to start from mid 2016 in August and we want to But after that, it is a competitive world. The lower go ahead full steam. And hopefully one of the costs of the F4SEA allows for young drivers to kids will be able to make his or her way up to make the step up to formula racing. Then it is an Formula 1 one day. It is a long way to climb and upgrading process where we can assess their it is not easy but we will make it happen. Peter performance. All the young drivers have an equal Thompson is putting very big effort into it. He chance. From that point on, it is not that easy, has put a lot of effort into the new F4 project for instance Jazeman Jaafar who started with and I thank him for this. Peter Thompson has Meritus is of course a good example. But it is not done a good job and made a huge effort in easy to get sponsors, even for him. In Malaysia promoting the series. He is very serious about big companies are not advertising in motorsport the job and has great knowledge of racing. It unlike in the UK. is a great cooperation between the AAM and Triple A. Additionally, as the lead FIA affiliate, F4SEA: What is your Highnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; view on the new we are also cooperating beyond borders in the F4SEA championship also supports development entire region: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, in other ways, not just from a technological point Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand. It is a big group of of view? countries that has to collaborate and go beyond just Malaysia only in order to make it successful. If Indeed the other interesting side is that the we can have one driver out of all we would have championshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mechanics are being trained and developed as well. This is very interesting for the met our targets and can be very happy. country. In essence, we are getting schools to F4SEA: What were among the key issues when produce graduates in motorsports technology, preparing the F4 SEA championship? which is very important. Students that are able to reach a high level in the years to come is also Clearly cost saving to stop the ever rising costs something the government is very conscious in racing was a priority. The rules are simple: No about this. limit and no cheating with every driver and with every competitor on an equal footing. I would F4SEA: Finally, Malaysia has a good base with the have liked at my time as a young driver to have Sepang circuit? had access to central information and other Yes, Sepang has been an important impetus drivers' data. But it did not exist at my time. and backbone to the development of racing F4SEA: How can you compare two wheels and talents over the years. But there are other circuits four wheels? that have emerged in the region, like Buriram in Thailand. In Malaysia itself there are other It is cheaper to start a career on two wheels 125, projects in other parts of the country, for instance 250, GP bike â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it is a much shorter route Johor Bahru is coming up with its own track, and does not by comparison take too long to while Sepang itself is undergoing an upgrade. get to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. It is Like the development of other race-tracks around possible to achieve that in as little as two years. Advancement in Formula racing categories takes the world, particularly in Asia, there is a good energy for the sport. a bit longer to start. It also takes much longer to build up the experience and a driver needs to be more immersed and have a deeper sense of the game.

MERITUS Awards Gala - Award Recipients

MERITUS Awards Gala â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Recipients National Rising Star Award No Name

Award

Country

MAG National Rising Star

Singapore

02 Khalid Al-Wahaibi

MAG National Rising Star

Oman

Faine Kahia

MAG National Rising Star

New Zealand

Presley Martono

MAG National Rising Star

Indonesia

MAG National Rising Star

Malaysia

Danial N. Frost

05 Isyraf Danish

Formula 4 SEA 2016 Rookie Award No Name

Award

Country

MAG F4/SEA Championship Driver with the most wins

Indonesia

02 Presley Martono

MAG F4/SEA Rookie Champion

Indonesia

717

03 Isyraf Danish

MAG F4/SEA Rookie 2nd Place

Malaysia

486

04 Khalid Al-Wahaibi

MAG F4/SEA Rookie 3rd Place

Oman

434

Presley Martono

Points

Formula 4 SEA Overall Award No Name

Award

Country

Points

MAG F4/SEA Overall Champion

Indonesia

565

02 Faine Kahia

MAG F4/SEA Overall 2nd Place

New Zealand

563

03 Akash Gowda

MAG F4/SEA Overall 3rd Place

India

457

Presley Martono

Outstanding Achievement in Motorsport by an Asean Driver No Name

Award

MAGOutstanding Achievement in Motorsport by an ASEAN Driver

Jazeman Jaafar

02 Rio Haryanto

MAG ASEAN Driver of the year

03 YM Tunku Datuk Mustapha

MAG Lifetime Achievement Award

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

F4SEA 2016 Standings

F4SEA 2016 Standings Championship Standing 01

Presley Martono

#32

MERITUS.GP

565

Faine Kahia

#55

MERITUS.GP

563

Akash Gowda

#33

MERITUS.GP

457

Isyraf Danish

#19

MERITUS.GP

349

Danial Frost

#66

MERITUS.GP

317

Jordan Love

#79

MERITUS.GP

296

Khalid Al-Wahaibi

#08

MERITUS.GP

278

Mohammed Nalwalla

#46

MERITUS.GP

189

Eric Louis

#23

MERITUS.GP

181

Keanon Santoso

#88

MERITUS.GP

179

Adam Khalid

#05

MERITUS.GP

Angie King

#15

MERITUS.GP

Chia Wing Hoong

#68

MERITUS.GP

Daniel Lu Hibbit

#25

MERITUS.GP

David Tatinclaux

#56

MERITUS.GP

Gabriel Cabrera

#51

MERITUS.GP

Kane Shepherd

#34

MERITUS.GP

KeziA Santoso

#71

MERITUS.GP

Nazim Azman

#17

MERITUS.GP

Worawong Komarakul

#07

MERITUS.GP

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Rookie Standing 01

Presley Martono

#32

MERITUS.GP

714

Isyraf Danish

#19

MERITUS.GP

500

Khalid Al-Wahaibi

#08

MERITUS.GP

439

Keanon Santoso

#88

MERITUS.GP

351

Eric Louis

#23

MERITUS.GP

273

Angie King

#15

MERITUS.GP

Chia Wing Hoong

#68

MERITUS.GP

Daniel Lu Hibbit

#25

MERITUS.GP

David Tatinclaux

#56

MERITUS.GP

Gabriel Cabrera

#51

MERITUS.GP

Kane Shepherd

#34

MERITUS.GP

Kezia Santoso

#71

MERITUS.GP

F4SEA 2016 Points Breakdown

F4SEA 2016 Points Breakdown Standings

Event 1 - 05-07 Aug, Sepang

Name

Country

Presley Martono (#32)

INA

Faine Kahia (#55)

Total 36 Best 30

Event 2 - 15-17 Sep, Clark

R10

R11

R12

565

12 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 18 0 18 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 25 3 18 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 25 0 25 0 0 0 25 0 0 0 25 1 25 1 25

NZL

569

563

18 0 18 0 25 0 18 0 25 0 15 3 18 0 15 0 0 0 15 0 25 3 12 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Akash Gowda (#33)

IND

469

457

0 0 15 0 18 0 15 0 15 0 12 0 25 0 25 3 0 3 18 0 15 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Isyraf Dansih (#19)

MYS

349

10 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 10 0 12 0 8 0 12 0 12 0 8 0 18 0 0 18 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 18 0 18 0 12 0 15 0 18 0 12 0 18

Danial N. Frost (#66)

SGP

317

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jordan Love (#79)

AUS

296

25 3 25 3 0 3 25 3 10 3 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Khalid Al-Wahaibi (#8)

OMN

278

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 10 0 25 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 15 1 25 0 0 0 18 0 0

Mohammed Nalwalla (#46)

IND

189

15 0 8 0 12 0 12 0 12 0 8 0 6 0 0 0 15 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Eric Louis (#23)

MYS

181

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 12 0 18 0 0 0 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 18 0 18 0 0 0 15 0 15

Keanon Santoso (#88)

INA

179

8 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 8 0 6 0 10 0 6 0 0 0 10 0 6 0 0 0 0 15 0 18 0 18 0 25 0 18 0 15 0 15 0 10 0 0 0 15 0 10 0 0

Adam Khalid (#5)

MYS

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Angie King (#12)

PHL

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chia WIng Hoong (#68)

MYS

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Daniel Lu Hibbit (#25)

CHN

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

David Taninclaux (#56)

FRA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Gabriel Cabrera (#51)

PHL

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kane Shepherd (#32)

THA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kezia Santoso (#34)

INA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Nazim Azman (#17)

MYS

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Worawong Komarakul (#7)

THA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Key

Position - 0 0 - Pole Fastest lap - 0 0 - Rookie

F4SEA follows the standard F1 points scoring system, with the addition of 1 point for fastest lap and 3 points for pole.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

The F4SEA Championship positions are based on the best 30 driver results of the 36-race championship. The ‘Total 36’ column shows the points earned in all 36 races. The ‘Best 30’ column is the championship points standings based on the drivers best 30 race results. The ‘R’ column shows the Rookie points standings and rookie driver positions are indicated. The ‘G’ column is for Guest Drivers who are not awarded points. The yellow shaded areas indicate the six individual event champions. Event 3 - 11-13 Nov, Sentul R13

R14

R15

R16

R17

Event 4 - 09-11 Dec, Sepang R18

R19

R20

R21

Event 5 - 06-08 Jan, Buriram

R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30

Event 6 - 20-22 Jan, Sepang R31

R32 R33

R34 R35 R36

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F4SEA 2016 entry list

Presley Martono

Faine Kahia

Danial N. Frost

15 June 2000

02 Jujly 1996

18 October 2001

Nazim Azman

Kezia Santoso

Keanon Santoso

Akash Gowda

Mohamed Nalwalla

Jordan Love

Adam Khalid

17 August 2001

07 September 1998

19 June 2000

27 August 1998

08 October 1998

27 April 1999

12 October 1998

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Chia Wing Hoong

Isyraf Danish

Eric Louis

06 December 1995

19 February 2000

01 May 1997

Khalid A Wahaibi

Sam Grimes

Ben Grimes

David Tatinclaux

Worawong Komarakul

09 July 2000

16 February 2000

16 July 1998

03 September 2000

11 Dec 1996

Daniel Lu Hibbitt

Kane Shepherd

02 Jan 2001

02 January 2001

Drivers bio

Date of Birth:

15 June 2000

Place of Birth:

Jakarta, Indonesia

Occupation:

Student

Height:

175 cm

Weight:

59 kg

Blood Type:

A+

Hobbies

Cooking, video games

Favourite Sport:

Basketball

Favourite Artistes:

Zayn Malik, Kaia Gerber

Favourite Athlete:

Mo Farrah

Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut:

2008 (Go-Karts)

Instagram:

@presleymartono

Presley Martono

Amongst the large pool of young aspiring go-karters from the region making the transition to singleseater formula race cars, Presley Martono stands out like a sore thumb, in a good way, of course. Sporting a swagger that is all his own as he arrives at the circuit, Presley leaves quite an indelible impression wherever he goes and with whoever he meets. A big, fiery personality, Presley also has the chops when it comes to racing, making waves in both the local and international go-kart races. Indonesian champion in 2013 and third runner-up in Asia, his biggest and favourite accomplishment was when he won the Italian ACI Karting Championship 60 mini in Ortona Italy, a day that has and will continue to be etched into the young Indonesianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psyche. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Presley does not shy away from expressing himself, especially when it concerns his racing performance. His larger-thanlife personality often comes at a price to his fellow competitors who all begrudgingly admit his overt passion does fuel his drive to perform at his very best, all the time. Presleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiery passion is evident both on and offtrack as the youngster has only one goal in his mind: to beat off the competition and win, which he works hard to achieve.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

2 July 1996

Lives :

Taupo, New Zealand

Occupation: Height:

176cm

Weight:

79kg

Blood Type:

Hobbies

Working out

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

2Pac

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

201X (Go-Karts)

Instagram:

@faine_k

Faine Kahia

Faine’s motto for racing: Drive it like you stole it! “Speed is life. Speed to me is one big breath – the faster the speed, the deeper the breath,” says Faine Kahia who is always ready to have a laugh, has a big heart and is determined to never give up, which lends to his natural racing qualities. Faine knows that when he is driving, he is “Instinctive”, “strategic”, and “respectful.’ One of his dreams is to one day drive the Koenigsegg One:1. The car-maker that stunned the world in September 2011 when it set a Guinness World Record time of 21.19seconds for the 0-3000 km/h run in the Koenigsegg Agera R. The time achieved by the Koenigsegg One:1 had managed to trim a full 3.24 seconds from what was already considered to be an unbeatable record time. Faine’s primary ambition is racing after his first experience at the Tokoroa karting track in New Zealand. His first taste for success came when he stepped on the podium in only his third go-kart race meeting at the Hawkes Bay kart track. In addition to being his first time at the track, the result also came after what had been a torrential, rain-soaked affair. At the time he didn’t know anything at all about setup, Faine just drove the wheels off his kart to clinch his first race podium.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

18 October 2001

Lives :

Singapore

Occupation:

Student

Height:

170cm

Weight:

58.7kgs

Blood Type: Hobbies Favourite Sport: Favourite Artistes: Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

2014 (Go-karts)

Website:

@danial_frost

Danial N. Frost

Speed is clearly in Danial’s blood as he arrives at the circuit on his Segway board, which is never far from his sight as he darts back and forth whenever he is not in a racecar. It all started one day when Danial picked up a car in a toy shop, and it was love at first sight. “I found a car that I really liked. I looked at it and then I got interested. My mom built on my passion for that car and I started karting in December 2014 in Singapore. We were going karting with my dad who is in the marine Industry. At first I was competing in ‘fun races’ with my dad, but then it got serious and more competitive. As I was winning and getting better results, I started to get more interested.” Danial adds, “I finished second in my first ever gokart race and of course I was very happy. Later on I went to race in Malaysia with a Singapore karting team, though it did not go so well but I continued karting and then one day, the topic of the AsiaCup Series came up.” On top of his experience with the AsiaCup Series, Danial has also spent some time in a simulator. “It feels good to learn how to better deal with the car, particularly the speed and balance. I believe I will get a simulator for Christmas at home. That will help me improve my racing,” notes Danial.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

17 August 2001

Lives :

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Occupation:

Student

Height:

155cm

Weight:

44 kg

Blood Type: Hobbies Favourite Sport: Favourite Artistes: Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver: Racing Debut :

2012 (Go-Karts)

Website:

Nazim Azman

A native and resident of the capital city of Malaysia, Nazim Azman comes from a family of four brothers. His mother is a writer. Asked where his desire for racing came from, Nazim is quick to reply “that’s easy. My dad!” Growing up, Nazim quickly inherited his businessman father’s keen interest in racing in almost any form. He comes to the race track with his AirWheel in tow, manoeuvring the one-wheel scooter with the dexterity of a wizard. For Nazim, it all started in 2011 when he began gokarting, convincing his family that he was ready to compete the following year. Still excited with the memory of his first race, Nazim recalls, “I was second at one point in that race but then I had a crash and only managed to finish eighth. It was a pity, but overall since I started I have learned a lot.” That was evident when he notched several podium finishes in his debut season in the AsiaCup Series in 2015.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

7 July 1998

Lives :

Jakarta, Indonesia

Occupation:

Student

Height: Weight: Blood Type: Hobbies Favourite Sport:

Swimming

Favourite Artistes: Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Max Verstappen

Racing Debut :

2010 (Go-Karts)

Website:

Kezia Santoso

The elder of the two Santoso siblings, Kezia is one of only a handful of females involved in the sport, and is quick to understand the seemingly overwhelming disadvantage she’s put herself in. “I think people think of it [racing] as a man’s sport and that motivates me to overcome those challenges,” she explains. Having achieved considerable success in go-karts, Kezia made the switch to single-seater formula cars with the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship in 2016. Like the other debutants, her first time was all about getting comfortable, something she explains like a pro, “it is all about gaining confidence. With more track time, I get more comfortable.” Drawing inspiration from her favourite race car driver, Max Verstappen, the 18-year old lass explains, “I like his work ethic a lot and really admire what he has already achieved as an F1 driver. It is truly inspiring.” Hard to deny that as they youngster has already made waves not just in F1 but across the motorsports spectrum. Of her dreams and ambitions, Kezia keeps it straightforward and simple, “to get as far as I can in racing.” She doesn’t confine herself to any specific racing genre but keeps an open mind about options, going on to note “I want to try different types of race cars, like touring cars.”

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

19 June 2000

Lives :

Jakarta, Indonesia

Occupation:

Student

Height:

170cm

Weight:

62kg

Blood Type:

O+

Hobbies

Karting, Basketball

Favourite Sport:

Racing, Basketball

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete:

Muhammad Ali

Favourite Driver:

Ryo Haryanto

Racing Debut :

2009 (Go-Karts)

Website:

@keanon19

Keanon Santoso

Like all young aspiring drivers, Keanon started gokarting in 2009 in the hope of fuelling an ambition for racing, which he explains quite simply as, “a love of speed. I love it when you get the adrenalin rush especially when overtaking someone in a race.” Hailing from a family who passionately embrace motorsport, Keanon’s source of inspiration is none other than his distant relative, Rio Haryanto. Like Indonesia’s first Formula 1 driver, Keanon has chosen to take his path into the single-seater formula racing world with Peter Thompson and Firhat Mokhzani, the same team who shaped Rio’s humble beginnings. Keanon is also acutely aware at first hand of the dangers and the reality of motorsport and explains “Rio worked really hard to get to F1 and never once gave up in spite of the challenge and adversity.” It’s hard to discount Rio’s courage and tenacity, one that has earned the youngster a healthy respect amongst what can at times be an unforgiving Formula 1 fraternity. He sets an excellent example for Keanon to follow in his footsteps adn we hope to see a lot more of this young driver in the future.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

27 August 1998

Lives :

Bangalore, India

Occupation:

Student

Height:

163cm

Weight:

55kgs

Blood Type:

B Positive

Hobbies

Any physical activities

Favourite Sport:

Football

Favourite Artistes:

Coldplay

Favourite Athlete:

Usain Bolt

Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

Amaron Karting

Website:

Akashgowda.com

Akash Gowda

“It all started when my family and I went fun-karting and as it turned out, I was actually quite good and people started appreciating me,” was how 18-year old Akash Gowda describes how his passion for racing was ignited. Some would say that Akash is perhaps already genetically predisposed to racing with a father who himself competed in national rallying events and remains an avid motorsports enthusiast. Harish Gowda was Akash’s first talent scout, having identified and recognised his son’s talent. Training then began in earnest. Akash notes, “It was also around this time that the AKC was announced with races happening around the country. I was prepared for the challenge and my father wasted no time in enrolling me for the races, despite the limited training and exposure.” At the AKC Akash took his first step in his racing career. While Akash loves the sheer exhilaration of racing, he is game for any kind of sport. “I just love all kinds of physical activity, it really does not matter what as long as my body is always active, I’m good with that. I have always loved speed, and I don’t think there is another sport that is as interesting as racing, in every aspect – from the physical and mental strength required. And there is so much more to learn and do in racing as compared to other sports.”

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

8 October 1998

Lives :

Dubai, UAE

Occupation:

Student

Height:

168cm

Weight:

48kgs

Blood Type:

B Positive

Hobbies

Swimming

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Dwayne Johnson

Favourite Athlete:

Usain Bolt

Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

JK Tyre Rookie Cup

Instagram:

@mohammednalwalla

Mohammed Nalwalla

India’s Mohammed Nalwalla pursued his dream by taking the first step in go-karts in his homeland. The youngster’s progression was nothing short of stellar when he claimed the runner-up title in the JK Tyre Rookie Cup Championship in his racing debut year in 2014. He would go on to repeat another fine racing season in 2015 when he came home in overall second place in the National Karting Championship as well as the vice champion in the Kart Open championships. The Mumbai-native notes, “I had a strong passion for cars from very early on.” The choice to go into racing was encouraged by an elder brother and his parents. The 18-year old keeps his family close to his heart as he notes, "my family is tremendously important to me as their continued moral support and encouragement has helped me to achieve what I have and what I will achieve in the future.” A fan of triple Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Nalwalla also draws inspiration from India’s most successful and internationally-recognised sports megastar – Sachin Tendulkar, which is not difficult to understand, given the world’s best batsman’s iconic god-like national status in his cricket-mad homeland. Like most young racing stars, Mohammed Nalwalla aspires to reach F1 one day.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

27 April 1999

Lives :

Perth, Australia

Occupation:

Student

Height:

170cm

Weight:

62 kg

Blood Type: Hobbies Favourite Sport: Favourite Artistes: Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Daniel Ricciardo

Racing Debut :

2010 (Go-karts)

Website:

Jordan Love

Jordan Love’s connection with motorsport is very much rooted in his DNA, thanks largely to his father who used to race touring cars and continues to have a passion for racing. And that connection extends to Jordan’s younger brother, Aaron, who is storming Australia’s go-kart scene. Jordan explains, “I started go-karting in Australia and that is where Peter Thompson spotted me and organised a few test days in a formula car.” That encounter with Peter would see Jordan expand his horizons to Asia as he stamped his authority on the AsiaCup Series in 2015, winning 15 out of the 16 races, leaving the rest of his competitors in his wake. Jordan explains his secret, “I give everything, I do 110 per cent effort. I drive my heart out at every race.” When asked about his ambitions, Mr. 110% has already marked a clear path as he elaborates, “I want to be climbing the ladder, starting with F4/ SEA. That is the plan and I want the ladder to take me to Europe. I chose to compete in the F4/SEA championship because all the cars are the same and there are good tracks on the calendar.” Despite his victorious streak, Jordan keeps his feet grounded and recalls as his fondest memory his first ever podium at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. “The track is amazing and the circuit facilities are nice. If it is wet the racing can be a surprise. But it is not too bad.”

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

19 February 2001

Lives :

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Occupation:

Student (??)

Height:

170cm

Weight:

50kg

Blood Type: Hobbies

Ice-skating

Favourite Sport:

Ice-hockey

Favourite Artistes:

Arianna Grande

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Sebastian Vettel

Racing Debut :

2015 (Go-Karts)

Website:

Instagram @syafx

Isyraf Danish

The youngest of three siblings, Isyraf shares his love of motorsport with his father. And that love was enough to pave Isyraf’s path into the sport albeit virtually with the video-game version - before eventually transitioning to racing go-karts in 2015. Unlike his compatriots who are perhaps more seasoned, Isyraf is undeterred and is already adamant about his career path as he explains “I want to focus on being like my hero Sebastian Vettel.” Isyraf admires how Sebastian earned four straight world championship crowns and many Formula One records and became the youngest pole-sitter, winner and champion in F1 history, pointing out that the German started his career while still a teenager, having taken up karting in 1995 at a local kart track in his native village of Heppenheim. Evidently Isyraf’s father does not share his son’s admiration for the F1 champion as, while watching any F1 race on TV, the patriarch cheers only for Briton Lewis Hamilton! Isyraf’s dream is that “I may have the same luck and smooth path to F1 as Sebastian.” The birth of the F4/SEA comes at the right time for Isyraf who is committed to familiarising himself with the F4 cars and intensifying his training.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

12 October 1998

Lives :

Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Occupation:

Student

Height: Weight: Blood Type: Hobbies Favourite Sport: Favourite Artistes: Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Michael Schumacher

Racing Debut :

201X (Go-Karts)

Website:

Instagram @crazychicken

Adam Khalid

Adam Khalid is the second oldest in a large family with three younger brothers and two sisters. A student at the Australian International School in Selangor, Adam’s first encounter with racing came from a relative. He recalls, “my first experience was driving my uncle’s car at around the Sepang circuit and I immediately fell in love with ‘speed’. But racing is not just about speed. It’s all about momentum and consistency.” Coming from a highly supportive family, Adam adds, “my dad is in the automotive industry, while my mom is an accountant and everyone in the family loves racing and supports me and gives me valuable advice.” It was not an easy start for Adam who notes, “I was overweight and my family convinced me to lose weight if I really wanted to race. I am fitter now after losing 20 kilos in two years.” Like his fellow compatriots, it all began on the gokart track for Adam who quickly made a mark for himself winning the Malaysian Championship in Sepang and eventually qualifying for the Karting World-S finals in Spain. Adam adds, “seems like I always had racing in my blood. After my grandparents passed away in 1997 in a helicopter crash, I realized that my parents had made a lot of sacrifices to allow me to go racing and help me.”

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

6 December 1995

Lives :

Selangor, Malaysia

Occupation:

Student

Height:

178cm

Weight:

64kgs

Blood Type:

B Positive

Hobbies

Motorsports

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete:

Fernando Alonso

Favourite Driver:

Fernando Alonso

Racing Debut :

2012 (Go-karts)

Website:

www.winghoong-chia.org

Chia Wing Hoong

A self-professed fan of cars and motorsports for as long as his memory permits, Malaysian Wing Hoong Chia is a true-blue petrolhead with racing embedded deep within his cerebral cortex! It is not difficult to discover and discern the reasons behind his involvement in motorsport. Though selfmotivated, the young Malaysian credits his ex-racer father, adding, “My dad played quite a big part in influencing my racing career.” With an illustrious record in the go-kart scene, both at home and abroad, Wing is no stranger to life in the fast lane in all its permutations, having had the opportunity to compete at the Sepang 12 Hours race in the touring production class. An indication as to his future racing career inclinations, Wing states his ultimate racing ambition as, “being a paid professional racing driver in GT cars or prototypes, hopefully with a works team.” The next step on the racing ladder from go-karts into single-seater formula racing, the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship, Wing see as “a great development series for young drivers and a great way to start a racing career.”

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

20 January 2000

Lives :

Manila, Philippines

Occupation:

Student (Makati Hope Christian School, Manila)

Height: Weight: Blood Type: Hobbies

Cooking, video games

Favourite Sport:

Badminton, Basketball

Favourite Artistes:

2Pac

Favourite Athlete:

Tiger Woods

Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

2011

Instagram:

@gabetayao

Gabriel Cabrera

Gabriel Antonio Tayao Cabrera, or simply “Gabe” as he is known amongst his racing peers, friends and family began his career in much the same way his fellow competitors did, in go-karts. Gabe explains, “I had already had this dream of racing go-karts since I was 7 years old, but I did not know where to go.” Through the tenacity of his family, who encouraged and paved the way for the youngster, Gabe has stormed his way through the region’s go-kart scene, with a very long list of accolades to his name since debuting in 2011. His success has not gone unnoticed with media representatives, journalists and reporters following his every career move. Despite of all the attention, the young 16-year-old remains incredibly humble and more importantly, real. While his family provides an astonishing amount of support and encouragement as he pursues his racing dream, they also insist he keeps up with his schoolwork. According to the Manilaborn lad, his school friends also keep him grounded even if they prefer mainstream sports like basketball to motor racing. Gabe feels a mix of excitement and nervousness in his debut formula racing season, especially with one event taking place on home soil at Clark International Speedway.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

1 May 1997

Lives :

Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Occupation:

Racing driver

Height:

184cm

Weight:

66kg

Blood Type:

AB+

Hobbies

Basketball and working out

Favourite Sport:

Basketball and football

Favourite Artistes:

Arianna Grande

Favourite Athlete:

LeBron James

Favourite Driver:

Lewis Hamilton

Racing Debut :

2012 (Go-Karts)

Instagram:

@princelouis23

Eric Louis

Eric Louis Pragasam’s racing career began with winning a funkart outing at Sunway Lagoon’s Extreme Park in Malaysia. He explains, “after my time in the funkart against the other drivers, the guys told my dad that I was really good!” That single event would prove to be a turning point for 9-year-old Eric whose family then began to take his racing more seriously. It did not, however, happen instantaneously as it would be another five years before he would begin competing. A larger-than-life personality, Eric enjoy the attention from his school mates, saying “generally everyone supports me but I know that some of my friends are a bit jealous.” A huge basketball fan, NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron “King” James is one of Eric’s biggest sporting heros, “to me, he is the best athlete ever!” In Formula 1, Eric counts Lewis Hamilton as his idol and wants to be like the two-time Formula 1 World Champion. “He wears his heart on his sleeve, which is a quality I really like about Lewis,” explains Eric. In 2015 Eric was lucky enough to meet Lewis, after winning an online competition “It was such an awesome experience to meet him and he told me: ‘A lot of people will tell you to give up and stop racing, don’t listen to anyone. Just keep racing as long as your parents support you’,” smiles Eric.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

Muscat, Oman

Lives :

Muscat, Oman

Occupation:

Student

Height:

178cm

Weight:

64kgs

Blood Type:

B Positive

Hobbies

Motorsports

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver: Racing Debut : Website:

Khalid Al Wahaibi

From Muscat, Oman, Khalid races under his lucky number, 8. With karting experience in the Rotax Max Challenge, he joined Formula 4 South East Asia at Event 2 in the Philippines where he qualified on pole for race 6 in his formula car debut. Unfortunately the race was subsequently cancelled due to Typhoon Karen, but Khalid will have the chance to catch up with seven races at Event 5 in Buriram. Khalid showed well in Sepang at Event 4 and his comments on the challenging track were: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compared to Sentul (Indonesia) and Clark (Philippines) I really like the Sepang Circuit. It has a lot of fast flowing corners. Every corner almost has a straight after it and you need to maintain a good pace on the exits, otherwise you can lose a lot of time. I really like the characteristics of the track and my favourite corners have to be the sweeping flatout Turns 5 and 6.â&#x20AC;?

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

France

Lives :

Seoul, Korea

Occupation:

Student

Height:

178cm

Weight:

64kgs

Blood Type: Hobbies

Karting, Racing and Cars

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver:

Vettel and Alonso

Racing Debut :

2006 (Go-karts)

Website:

David Tatinclaux

16-year-old French national, David Tatinclaux is the youngest of three siblings and lives in Korea. Having lived in France, Spain and Malaysia, the family plan to return to France next summer. A self-professed adrenaline junkie who thrives on speed and challenges, the young racer fell in love with karting over ten years ago. David has participated in Rotax Max Challenge Senior Class, KKC and RMC karting in Korea, and will never forget the taste of his first victory. Racing under number 56 which is the day and month of his birthday and his father’s year of birth, David graduated to F4 South East Asia in December 2016. Of his first formula test and race at Sepang he says: “my approach is to take it slowly, step by step. As its my first time here I like the Sepang track with a really nice mix of highspeed corners and long straights.” Inspired by Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, David pledges to do everything he can to succeed and keep fighting for the win. This young driver with big dreams believes confidence is the key to success in racing.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

Shanghai, China

Lives :

Shanghai, China

Occupation:

Student

Height: Weight: Blood Type: Hobbies

Motorsports

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver: Racing Debut :

Karting debut 2014

Website:

Daniel Lu Hibbitt

Born in Shanghai to a Chinese mother and a British father, Daniel attends the British International School in Shanghai, and he speaks perfect English and Mandarin. He only started karting together with his younger brother in 2014 and competed in the full Rotax Max Junior Challenge in China. In 2015 he contested the DIA Trophy in Italy and was category winner. In 2016 he had podium wins in the German KZ2 Championship. He will make his formula car debut at the F4/SEA Event 5 in Buriram. However he has some formiula testing experience in Formula Renault in Zhuhai, China. Daniel is a passionate young racer and would like to make a professional career in the sport. He will race in Thailand in car number 25.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Place of Birth:

Thailand

Lives :

Thailand

Occupation:

Student

Height:

181cm

Weight:

64kgs

Blood Type: Hobbies

Motorsports

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver: Racing Debut :

2010 (Go-karts)

Website:

Kane Shepherd

Kane has been karting successfully for the last six years, winning national and international events around Asia. In 2016 Kane won the Thailand Rotax Max Senior Championship which earned him a scholarship of two free test days in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship. Event 5 of the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship in Buriram Thailand will be Kaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ever formula race. His chosen race number is 34.

Drivers bio

Place of Birth:

Bangkok, Thailand

Lives :

San Francisco, California

Occupation:

Student

Height:

173cm

Weight:

62kgs

Blood Type: Hobbies

Motorsports

Favourite Sport:

Motorsports

Favourite Artistes:

Favourite Athlete: Favourite Driver: Racing Debut : Website:

Worawong Komarakul From Bangkok Thailand, Worawong Komarakul now lives in San Francisco where he is a university student. He originally joined AsiaCup in 2014 where he achieved no less than 15 podium positions in the 16 races and finsihed 2nd in the Championship behind Australian Jake Parsons. Plu, as he is nicknamed in Thailand, then joined the Meritus Formula Masters Champinship in 2015 before heading off to San Francisco to complete his third level education as an Automotive Design Engineer. Plu participates in USA karting and finished top 30 in the USANATS last November in Vegas. Home from the US for Christmas holiday, he is looking forward to racing in Event 5 on his home track in Buriram where he will race in car number 7.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Previous event report

Event 6 Report After completing five events in its inaugural season, the sixth and final event in the Formula 4 South East Asia (F4/SEA) Championship - certified by FIA - finally got underway on Saturday at the Sepang International Circuit. The bumper-packed schedule kicked off in the early hours with the final free practice session of the season. The session belonged to Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Presley Martono (INA, Car #32) who was able to make the most of the cooler track conditions to post the quickest time of the session. His scorching lap time of 2:11.509s was enough to take the top spot over New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Faine Kahia (NZL, Car #55) who also posted a sub-2:12 lap time (2:11.760s).

After a short breather, the young drivers were back strapped into their cars for the qualifying. Martono once again dominated the session topping the timesheet with a 2.11.563s to claim the prime spot on the grid in pole for Race 1. Coming in second was Singaporean ace, Danial Frost (SIN, Car #66) who clocked in with a 2:11.751s for a front row start in P2. Bolstered by being on home soil, Malaysian youngster Isyraf Danish (MAS, Car #19) was third quickest with his 2:12.096s effort. In addition to the race win he collected in Race 1, the young Malaysian was also crowned the Petron Star Driver of the sixth and final event of the F4/SEA championship.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Event Standings Isyraf Danish Danial N. Frost Khalid Al-Wahaibi Eric Louis Micheal Munemann

Presley Martono Faine Kahia Akash Gowda Adam Khalid

Season finale gets underway as Martono claims a double win, while Isyraf Danish bags first win on home soil.

Free Practice & Qualifying highlights

Free Practice & Qualifying Free Practice & Qualifying (Dry) With the drivers' day commencing bright and early, the morning’s free practice session in the cooler temperatures saw Martono claim the top spot with the fastest time of 2:11.509s. His time was over two-tenths quicker than Kahia who managed a 2:11.760s. The two drivers were also the only two who managed to crack the 2:12minute mark. Malaysia’s Eric Louis (MAS, Car #23) and Isyraf Danish (MAS, Car #19) were also in the top half of the field with the third and fourth quickest times with a 2:12.383s and 2:12.390. After a short break, the drivers were back on track for the 30minute qualifying session. Despite the rising temperatures, Martono was still able to put the hammer down going purple in several sectors en route to posting a scorching 2:11.563s

and more importantly, the pole position start for Race 1. Coming in second to join Martono on the front row was Singapore’s Frost with an equally strong effort to post a 2:11.751s, just under two-tenths shy of Martono’s time. Third fastest was Malaysia’s Isyraf Danish with his time of 2:12.096s ahead of the Kiwi Kahia (2:12.112) who will join the youngster on the second row in P4. Qualifying in P5 with a time of 2:12.369s was Eric Louis.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

The session belonged to Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Presley Martono (INA, Car #32) who was able to make the most of the cooler track conditions.

Race 1 highlights

Race 1 Race 1 (10 Laps, Dry) - With the main championship protagonists in the top half of the starting grid for Race 1, the 10-lap midday Race 1 promised an exciting duel on the cards with Martono starting from pole ahead of Frost and Isyraf Danish. A clean start off the line by Martono saw the young Indonesian successfully defend his lead from Frost, but only just. The action would however unfold in the fight for the lead when a collision between the race leader Martono and Frost would see both taken out of the race. After successfully evading the pair, it was Malaysia’s Isyraf Danish who suddenly found himself in the lead of the race. There was drama elsewhere down the order including an epic battle at the start in the fight for P3 between Kahia and Eric Louis. With a better tow off the start, the young Malaysian was able to jump Kahia for P4. Also embroiled in a battle for position were Oman’s Khalid Al-Wahaibi (OMN, Car #8) and India’s Akash Gowda (IND, Car #33). All four drivers were able to gain track positions following the Martono-Frost incident. With the frantic opening lap action settling down by the second lap, it was

Isyraf Danish who made the most of the situation, pulling out a succession of quick laps to open up a gap to the rest of the field. That left a four-way battle for P2 between Eric Louis, Kahia, Al-Wahaibi and Gowda. Running in second, it did not take Eric Louis long before he too found his momentum to also begin pulling away from the rest. The battle for P3 would go on for several laps, until Kahia running in P3 also found his pace to pull away from the battling duo of Al-Wahaibi and Gowda by the midway point of the race. Though the Kiwi was able to close in on Eric Louis, the young Malaysian was able to up the ante to maintain a healthy gap throughout. At the front, race leader Isyraf Danish’s unrelenting pace did see the home hero pull out consistent laps in the low to mid 2:12m mark to ensure a comfortable gap from the

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Eric Louis

Isyraf Danish Faine Kahia

rest of the field. With a healthy lead of over six seconds by the start of the tenth and final lap, the youngster was well on course for a memorable first race victory of the season on home soil. Crossing the line in P2 was Eric Louis, whose results made it a double celebration for the host nation. Taking the bronze position was the Kiwi Kahia, ahead of Al-Wahaibi and Gowda. Rounding off the top-6 was Adam Khalid (MAS, Car #5).

Race 2 highlights

Race 2 Race 2 (Dry, 8 Laps) - After a short turnaround, the drivers were back strapped into their racecars for the second race of the day. Having clocked up the fastest lap of the earlier race 1, Isyraf Danish had the honour of starting Race 2 from pole position, ahead of Kahia in P2 and compatriot Eric Louis in P3. The unfortunate racing incident between Martono and Frost saw both drivers faced with the monumental task of starting from the back of the grid. A poor getaway at the start of the 8-lap race saw Isyraf Danish lose the lead early on as Kahia took the early lead from the Malaysian. Meanwhile, a superb start by Martono and Frost saw both drivers make up considerable ground with Martono up to P3 and Frost in P4 by the close of the opening lap. Despite losing the lead, the Malaysian youngster was able to stay close to Kahia, though the duo had to contend with the prospect of the fastapproaching Martono. By the second lap, the race had turned into a three-way fight for the lead between Kahia, Isyraf Danish and Martono with all three separated by less than half a second. Behind the trio, Frost had also begun to close in as the Singaporean began lapping around the pace as the frontrunners. Behind them, another battle had also begun to brew between Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adam Khalid and Gowda for P7. By the mid-way point of the race, Kahia was able to open up a small gap, leaving Isyraf Danish and Martono to battle it out for P2, one that saw the Indonesian prevail. As the duelling duoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pace was quicker than that of the race leader, it did not take long for them to catch Kahia, with Frost lurking dangerously close behind them all. With two laps to

go, what had been a comfortable lead virtually disappeared as Martono, Isyraf Danish and Frost closed in on Kahia for the makings of an enthralling four-way fight for the race lead. An unfortunate error at the start of the final lap by the Kiwi into the first sequence of corners afforded Martono the perfect opportunity to take the lead, which he did. Having recovered after going wide, Kahia then had to defend against the quicker Isyraf Danish, who also had it all to do to keep his position on track against Frost. The blockbuster affair would continue through to the last sequence of corners when Frost did momentarily take P3 from Isyraf Danish.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Faine Kahia

Presley Martono Isyraf Danish

However, with the better racing line into the final corner, it was the Malaysian who prevailed over Frost, reclaiming the third and final spot on the podium. After a non-finish in Race 1, the accolades belonged to Martono with a great recovery drive to win Race 2 ahead of Kahia in P2 and Isyraf Danish in P3. Despite his best efforts, Frost would close out the second race in P4 ahead of Eric Louis in P5.

Race 3 highlights

Race 3 Race 3 (8-Laps, Dry) - With the grid positions determined by the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finishing positions from the previous race, Race 3 would also have the added twist of the top half of the grid being reversed. This meant Eric Louis would have the advantage of starting from pole position, ahead of Frost and Isyraf Danish. Starting from P4 was Kahia with Race 2 winner Martono in P5 on the grid. A good start by Eric Louis saw the Malaysian successfully hold on to the lead from a quick starting Frost. Strong starts by the rest of the field also did see the top five drivers closely bunched together with Kahia defending against Isyraf Danish and Martono in what quickly developed into a threeway fight for the third and final spot on the podium. With battles up and down the order, it was the fight for the race lead that attracted the most attention as Frost got the better run to overtake Eric Louis for the lead of the race at the start of the second lap. The Kiwi Kahia also had a good run and began challenging for P2

from Eric Louis after that. However, in the heat of the battle the two drivers collided, which did not do either driver any favour in the race for position. Though the Kiwi suffered damages to his car, he was able to continue but began dropping down the order. Despite the collision, the Malaysian drove a brave race and managed to hold on to P3 as the race approached mid-distance. With Frost comfortably leading the pack, and Martono pulling out a small gap, the attention was on the duel for the remaining podium position between the two Malaysians - Eric Louis and Isyraf Danish. In a battle that lasted for several laps, it was the younger Malaysian who would eventually prevail as Isyraf Danish began posting a succession of quick laps. Lapping consistently quicker than the frontrunners, it did not take

Isyraf Danish long to catch Martono who was running in P2 with two laps remaining. That battle would last all the way to flag as the Malaysian tried to overtake Martono with the pair going side-by-side on several occasions. In what was a near photo finish at the finish line, the Indonesian rookie was able to hold on to P2 with Isyraf settling to claim his third podium finish of the day. Meanwhile, after the disappointment of a nonfinish in Race 1, a strong drive by Frost saw the Singaporean youngster claim his first win of the day. Finishing just outside of the podium in P4 was Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al-Wahaibi ahead of Gowda in P5 with Eric Louis in a brave sixth despite having to nurse his car home.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Presley Martono

Danial N. Frost Isyraf Danish

Singaporean Danial Frost who snatched victory reversing his misfortunes from a non-finish in Race 1.

Race 4 highlights

Race 4 Race 4 (10-Laps, Dry) - The driversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; second fastest lap time in qualifying would determine the grid for Race 4, starting on pole position was Martono, with Kahia lined up alongside him in P2. The second row of the grid meanwhile, was occupied by Isyraf Danish starting from P3 and Frost in P4. A clean start by all the drivers saw Martono get off to a good start, keeping the lead of the race into the first sequence of corners, with Kahia not far behind the Indonesian ace. A poor start for Isyraf saw him drop down the order at the start, dropping him down to P6 on the opening lap. With Martono and Kahia away at the front, the lion share of the attention in the early phases of the race was the battle for P3 between Frost and Isyraf Danish. That battle would also draw in Al-Wahaibi, making it a three-way fight for third. By lap 4, the situation had again changed with Kahia slowly picking up the pace to catch the race leader, and the fight for P3 intensifying between Frost and Isyraf Danish as the Singaporean tried to defend the position. The Malaysian youngster would get his opportunity on the final corner with a brave move on Frost. Released from the fight for P3, the Malaysian began closing in on Kahia. After a succession of quick sector times, the home favourite had managed to close the gap the Kiwi by lap 6. That gave Martono the breathing space to pull away from the ongoing battles that were taking place behind him. Carrying more speed than the Kiwi on the exit of the final corner, Isyraf Danish was able to overtake Kahia at the start of Lap 8. Once he cleared the Kiwi, the youngster began chasing down the race leader, lapping nearly three-tenths faster than Martono, setting up what would be the most intense sprint to the finish line on the final lap of the race. In yet another near photo finish to the chequered flag, the Indonesian managed to hold on to the lead, by just six hundreds of a second over the Malaysian, who claimed his fourth podium finish of the day. Finishing in third was Kahia ahead of Frost, who despite briefly losing position to Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Al-Wahaibi was able to regain the position for a strong fourth place. The young Omani settled for P5 ahead of Eric Louis.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Isyraf Danish

Presley Martono Faine Kahia

Race 5 highlights

Race 5 Race 5 (8 Laps, Dry) - An early start for penultimate race of the season for the young drivers on Sunday morning promised another exciting race on the cards. With the starting grid determined by the drivers’ fastest lap times from the previous day’s Race 4, it was Malaysia’s Isyraf Danish who had the advantage of the pole position start. Lining up alongside the local youngster was Saturday’s double race winner, Martono with Kahia and Frost occupying the second row of the grid. After a better start, the Malaysian youngster was able to hang on to the lead, but was quickly involved in a battle to defend the lead from Martono. The Indonesian rookie would however prevail when his overtook Isyraf, the latter having the task of defending against Kahia. With the field closely

bunched together in the opening laps, the pace did eventually settle as Martono and Isyraf began opening up a gap to the rest of the field. By the second lap, the action picked up again this time involving Frost who began challenging Kahia for P3 and succeeding. The seemingly struggling Kiwi then had the task of defending his track position against Gowda, who also succeeded in taking P4 away from Kahia at the end of Lap 3. At the front, another epic duel was on the cards as Isyraf Danish began to hone in on Martono by the mid-way point of the race. Behind the pair, Gowda was also beginning to close in on Frost, which quickly developed into a battle royale for the final spot on the podium.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Isyraf Danish

Presley Martono Danial N. Frost

The two engaging battles would last all the way to flag, with Martono pulling out all the stops to defend against the Malaysian teenager; and Frost doing everything in his power to keep Gowda behind him. Martono and Isyraf again provided another photo finish with the Indonesian just edging the home favourite the slimmest of margins of 0.085s at the line. Frost would also prevail after successfully defending against Gowda’s challenge, to finish in P3, keeping the Indian in P4. Rounding off the top-five finishers was Oman’s Al-Wahaibi. Malaysia’s Eric Louis finished in P6.

Race 6 highlights

Race 6 Race 6 (Dry, 8 Laps, top 50% reversed) With the grid positions determined from the drivers’ finishing positions from the previous race, the sixth and final race of the weekend – which was also the final race of the inaugural season, also had the added twist of a reversed grid.

This meant that Oman’s Al-Wahaibi with the advantage starting from pole position ahead of India’s Gowda, Frost, Isyraf and Martono in positions second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. After a dramatic opening lap melee with all of the drivers jostling for position, it was Gowda who came out on top taking the lead of the race from Al-Wahaibi. Behind the leading two drivers, there was plenty of action, including one involving the Kiwi Kahia who made a stunning start to jump from his P6 starting position to move up to P3. Unfortunately, the Kiwi was unable to keep the position for long as Martono would take the position by the second lap. With Gowda and Al-Wahaibi comfortably away, the bulk of the action was concentrated on the fight for P3 between Martono and Isyraf Danish as well as Frost. By the fifth lap, that battle would

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Khalid Al-Wahaibi

Akash Gowda Isyraf Danish

become a four-way fight that included Martono, Isyraf and Frost, as the field started to close in on Al-Wahaibi. But as the jostling continued between the Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean youngsters, AlWahaibi was able to put his foot down and pull away to re-establish a comfortable gap to keep his second place. The fight for third spot continued to intensify as the trio jostled each other with the position changing several times towards the closing stages of the 8-lap race. A brilliantly timed overtake move on the penultimate lap by Isyraf from fifth position saw the youngster jump both Martono and Frost, one the Malaysian driver kept all the way to the chequered flag. Meanwhile, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gowda made Race 6 a memorable comeback with an emphatic race victory after a difficult and challenging weekend, finishing well ahead of AlWahaibi, with Isyraf Danish rounding off a weekend that saw the youngster finish on the podium in every race.

What is F4

15+

16+

20 25

17+

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

F2 Asia

F3 Asia F4 Asia

FIA

What is F4? Launched in 2014, FIA Formula 4 has been created to offer young racing drivers around the world the opportunity to take the first step from karting into a professional career in motorsport. Designed to be a globally recognised yet affordable step from karting to F1, FIA Formula 4 allows drivers to compare themselves to the best young talent, not only in their own country, but across other championships around the world. The recipe is undoubtedly a successful one, as present championships boast impressive grids, and new regions are in the process of creating their own F4 setups. Proof of F4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success - Lance Stroll the first FIA F4 Champion in 2014, joins the Williams F1 team driver line up in 2017. The FIA-approved F4 car is designed to keep costs down while providing an ideal learning tool for young drivers who are new to formula racing.

What is F4

Interview with Gerhard Berger TrackRecord interviews Gerhard Berger (Ex F1 driver) about Formula 4 and his involvement in the development of the global format. Can you explain the thinking of Formula 4? First of all it is important to define what F4 is. F4 should be the entry formula of all the young kids after karting when they go into motor racing in a single-seater category and it should be the first step to direct young kids to F1 – the idea is to have a pyramid to F1: F4, F3, F2, F1.

Is F4 really the perfect stepping stone? It is working well in Italy. It is a full house therealready. The next three years we have to establish it, and there will be room for 300 cars.

F4 should be the entry formula of all the young kids after karting when they go into motor racing in a single-seater category and it should be the first step to direct young kids to F1.

The FIA’s Gerhard Berger and President Jean Todt at a round of the European F3 series at Pau. F4 is designed for drivers out of karting. From F4, F3 is the next step

What about engine manufacturers? The concept is that in each country there is a single engine supplier. We have a clear frame of 150-160 HP . The engine has a certain weight and power curve configuration. It means worldwide that we are running the same car performance. It is not limited to one engine. Each country can see who supports them as engine manufacturer.

There are different type of engine and manufacturers involved. There is Abarth in Italy, Ford in the UK, TOM ’S in Japan, Geely, VW etc... There is no development competition and this keeps the costs down. It is not very expensive. With different engine/chassis suppliers there could be a competitive end-of season finale, like Macau or the Masters that exists for F3.

Are you confident that the costs will remain low? What will the FIA ’s involvement be once the various series are underway? The FIA is trying to put the concept and the regulations on the table and to coordinate it so that it is run with the right quality, with the right fairness, with the right scrutineering and the right development.

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

Formula 4 in Asia AAA is the licensed promoter of FIA F4 in the South East Asia region, licenced to host F4/SEA events in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, India, Thailand and Singapore. The 36-race Formula 4 South East Asia Championship - certified by the FIA, offers a very cost-effective training programme for young aspiring racing drivers. Run as a single operator championship, race engineering services are supplied by the multi-championship-winning MERITUS.GP team with European engineering and coaching support. Shared data and identical equipment ensures driver equality.

The lead FIA-affiliate for F4SEA - Automobile Association of Malaysia ( AAM ) With a strong motorsports heritage in Malaysia, as the National Sporting Authority (ASN) for all motorsports matters in the country, the AAM have successfully organised international events. These include the FIM Road Racing Grand Prix World Championships since 1991; FIM Superbike World Championship; FIM Endurance World Championship; FIM Asia Road Racing Championship; FIA Asia Pacific Rally as well as the FIA Formula 1™ World Championship, the latter since 1999. In the international motorsports arena, the Automobile Association of Malaysia is affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and the Commission Internationale de Karting-FIA (CIK-FIA) as their representative and controlling body in Malaysia.

Formula 4 points

F4SEA follows the standard F1 points scoring system, with the addition of 1 point for fastest lap and 3 points for pole.

Super license points

FIA ‘Super License’ points certificate will be awarded to the top 7 placed Drivers in the final classification of the Championship as follows:

•

1st

25 points

•

1st

12 points

•

2nd

18 points

•

2nd

10 points

•

3rd

15 points

•

3rd

07 points

•

4th

12 points

•

4th

05 points

•

5th

10 points

•

5th

03 points

•

6th

8 points

•

6th

02 points

•

7th

6 points

•

7th

01 points

•

8th

4 points

•

9th

2 points

•

10th

1 points

F4SEA 2016 Calendar

2016 F4SEA Calendar

05 15 11 0 Event 1

Event 2

Event 3

Sepang, Malaysia

Clark, Philippines

Sentul, Indonesia

Even Sepang,

TrackRecord - F4SEA 2016 Review

In its inaugural season, the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship hosts 36 races at 6 Events in four Asian countries: Sepang (Malaysia), Clark (Philippines), Sentul (Indonesia) and Buriram (Thailand). In 2017 the Calendar will expand to include India and Taiwan. The FIA F4 licence franchise permits the SEA Championship to visit seven Asian countries each season.

09 06 20 22

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Event 5

Event 6

Buriram, Thailand

Sepang, Malaysia

MERITUS Award Gala Sepang, Malaysia

Formula 4

South East Asia Championship

2017

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The first FIA step to F1in South East Asia - a one team championship with open data

Philippines September

Taiwan October

Indonesia November

India December

Thailand January

Malaysia February