Malaysia National team races MERITUS-GP2 Yas Island

MalaysiaQI-MeritusMaharaGP.com wraps up its Middle East road show with an early check in at Abu Dhabi prior to the next round of GP2 Asia at the Yas Island circuit. The team’s improved pace is the result of an enhanced engineering structure with the signing of four former Formula 1 technicians and engineers. In addition to providing race engineering services these technicians will provide training to develop the team’s Malaysian based technical staff. Meritus-GP pulled off another big coup when it signed American racing sensation Alexander Rossi for the remainder of 2009-2010 GP2 Asia Series. The news was announced at a recent press conference hosted in the presence of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE.

Before leaving Dubai the Asian Motorsport Ambassadors responded to a call from the Millennium School in Qusais Dubai and the EDI, Emirates Driving Institute’s road safety program. The team and driver were pleased to assist the Institute with their road safety in schools campaign. Chrysler Group Middle East and team sponsor QuestNet joined the team at the school. Alexander Rossi spoke to the youngsters on the safety aspects of Grand Prix racing and answered questions about his experience as a race driver.

His Excellency Dato’ Yahaya Abdul Jabar, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE is a very committed supporter of the team and expressed his pleasure in meeting the Malaysian team again and looked forward to be with the team on February 5 and 6 at the Yas Marina circuit. His Excellency stated: “Our Malaysian motorsport ambassadors MalaysiaQI-MeritusMahara.com’ earned a great 2nd place podium during the opening round of the 2009 GP2 Asia season. I visited the team in the Yas pits and hopefully brought them good luck. I was impressed and honored by the teams results and to see our Malaysian flag float on the Abu Dhabi UAE podium”.

The ambassador congratulated the team’s Italian driver Luca Filippi who drove a faultless race and to the Malaysian team co-owner Firhat Mokhzani. I will never forget that Luca Filippi dedicated his podium to me after the race. Luca Filippi is quoted as saying “It was a great team performance today and I would like to thank the Malaysian ambassador for his good luck and support and I dedicate our win today to him”.

The Ambassador went on to say: “On behalf of Malaysia we are very proud of the motorsport heritage and technology and the training that MERITUS-GP provides our young engineering graduates. All of this would not be possible without the support of great Malaysian sponsors like QuestNet”

My wish is to be with the team again on their second appearance at the Yas Island Marina circuit with Luca and Alexander Rossi. Alexander had his first taste of Formula 1 when he tested a BMW Sauber F1 car. Rossi impressed many of the veterans with his skill and I’m delighted he has agreed to join our Malaysian team for the rest of the season. Good luck to all this week-end and I wish and hope that my visit today will boost the team’s high spirit! Malaysia boleh.”

The GP2 Asia rounds 3 and 5 will be held at the all new Yas Island Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on the 4 to 6th February. Alexander Rossi will support Luca Filippi and the team hopes to continue to improve its podium winning pace. Meritus-GP managing director and co-owner, Firhat Mokhzani will also be traveling to the event where newly appointed Malaysian technician Sharli Mohammed will train alongside the MERITUS teams technicians and engineers who recently joined from Honda and Ferrari. The season will continue from Feb 25-27 at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain and the last stop is planned for March 12-14 at the Bahrain international circuit at Sakhir where the GP2 Asia Series will support the Bahrain F1 race.