Jamison Takes Triumphant Maiden Win

22/3/2008


Hong Kong's Ross Jamison (17/Meritus) beat both the elements and his fellow drivers to take his first Formula BMW victory today in the opening round of Formula BMW Pacific at the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Second across the line, after the race which was shortened to eight laps due to torrentialrain, was Formula BMW Junior driver Simon Moss of South Africa (16/Mahara), with Rookie Indian driver and protégé of Narain Karthikeyan, Aditya Patel (19/Eurasia Motorsport) 3rd.


The only female driver in the field, Tasmin Pepper of South Africa (17/Meritus), put in a superb performance to finish 4th.


Racing together for the first time, the region's best fledgling talent displayed maturity beyond their years when faced with almost impossible track conditions, with spray making it almost impossible to see the road ahead. Although there were plenty of spins, only three drivers failed to finish the race.


Starting from pole, Japan's Ryuichi Nara didn't get away well and paid the price when Moss and Jamison came storming by both him and Sean McDonagh (18/KOR/Team E-Rain). Moss took the lead, but Jamison seized it from him just two turns later and held it to the flag, pulling out a gap of more than 29 seconds by the finish.


Moss was full of praise for his team, particularly making the necessary changes for what was a very wet race in a short space of time: "I had a brilliant start and went from 4th to 1st. It was really intense!" Patel, meanwhile, kept his head down to record his first podium in first wet race, while Jamison was overjoyed to have got his championship campaign off to such a superb start, setting the fastest lap for good measure: "It was a good race, but the wet kept me on tip toes! I got a bit scared on a few corners I admit, but I just kept pushing as hard as I could."


Gabriel Chaves (COL/Atlantic Racing Team), Huzair Harun Rasip (19MAS/Mahara) and Melvin Moh (19/MAS/Team Holzer PFX) fell foul of the conditions and failed to finish.


Following the race, BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen, along with BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica paid a visit to the teams and drivers. All three had some valuable words of advice for the youngsters, and tips of fitness and career choice, during what was a lively and good natured exchange.


Round 2 of Formula BMW Pacific will be run tomorrow prior to the start of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with Moss on pole and McDonagh alongside him on the front row.



Prepared by Formula BMW Pacific