Meritus DRIVER

‘Creating International

2 Track Record 2009

 Meritus DRIVER

Motorsport Heroes’

Track Record 2009 3

 Meritus

6-9 10-11

Contents
18-19

6-9 Pak Lah inspires Meritus

10-11 Raad: New drivers will

deliver podium finishes

12-14 Thompson opens doors 16-17

for Asians

16-17 Italian stallion to show

his true colours

18-19 Parente adds a dash of

class

20-21 Picture power 22-23

22 Life’s no carvnival for Rio

23 Dustin wants to be new

Schumacher

24-25 Big brother Firhat

31 Surging Ahead, Blazing
29 Zooming in Forward

30 Michel: Our 32-33 Qi invest big in Meritus

championship has never
been healthier or more 34 Qi and Meritus a recipe
successful for success
31
36 Dubai Autodrome in safe
hands

4 Track Record 2009


What Meritus stands for
Meritus is a multi-dimensional motorsport
services company with a winning culture
of race-engineering success in Europe, Asia
Pacific and the Middle East.
Our team motto is ‘Creating International
Motorsport Heroes’ by supporting and
training young drivers to achieve their
dreams in the high-tech business of
international motorsport.
In keeping with our team brand Meritus,
from the Latin meritum meaning ‘to
obtain a lot,’ our objective is to provide our
advertising-partners with the excellence and
resources they require in order to generate
a ten-fold return on their advertising
investment.
The team’s culture ‘Winning is Business’
Meritus
comes from the Chinese translation of our
word-brand Meritus. “Wan Li Da,
means Winning comes First – even if the
effort takes 100,000 miles”.
Meritus has proven that success does
indeed flow from consistent hard work,
dedication, professionalism, technological
leadership and, above all, the culture and
development of talent.
We are proud of all our drivers and the
Meritus hall of fame includes our F1 heros. In
a team sport where only one person collects
the award, the brand Merit-us also gives
recognition to our sponsors, our
engineering staff and our winning
dynamics.
When Meritus is included with
the sponsor brand it has the effect of
enhancing and adding merit to the team-
brand. Merit is indeed at the core of Meritus,
and the team’s red color scheme reflects
the warmth, the passion, the efficiency, the
culture and dedication that flows through
the heart of the team. Anthropologists have
proven that wearing the color red provides
an unfair sporting advantage!
Track Record 2009 5
 Meritus DRIVER

6 Track Record 2009

 Meritus DRIVER

A PROUD
MOMENT
My Qi Meritus.Mahara team
inspired by Pak Lah’s support

M
y Qi Meritus.Mahara’s drivers said they
are inspired to do well in the Malaysian leg
of this season’s GP2 Asia Series following
the recent flag handing over ceremony
by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to the team’s owner, Firhat
Mokhzani.
Although Marco Bonanomi and Alvaro Parente were not
present at the function, which also saw Meritus hand over a
model of the GP2 car to the honourable Dato Seri Abdullah,
they were in agreement that the government support will
certainly give the team a big lift ahead of the April 3-5
Malaysian F1 Grand Prix.
The two drivers had prior engagements in Europe and
expressed regret they were not able to meet the country’s
Prime Minister.
“I would have loved to have been there as it is great for
Meritus to get the backing of the Malaysian government,”
said Bonanomi.
“Unfortunately, I could not attend but the team have told
me how much it meant to them to for me personally,it is
great to know we will race in Malaysia with 100% support.”
Asia’s most successful motorsport team, Meritus Racing,
received a huge boost for the the Malaysian Formula One
Grand Prix when the honourable Dato Seri Abdullah handed
over the national flag, Jalur Gemilang, to Firhat on March 6.
Parente said: “It is not everyday that a motorsport team
get the honour of meeting the Prime Minister and I know
we are all inspired by the support shown by the Malaysian
government.

Track Record 2009 7

 Meritus DRIVER

“The Malaysian Grand Prix

will only be my second outing for
Meritus but already, I feel part of
the team and both Marco and I are
determined to aim for a podium
finish to give the home fans plenty
to cheer.
“It would be wonderful if we
can achieve our goal of finishing
inside the top three. We have
shown we have the pace, now it is
a matter of getting lady luck on our
side.”
Meritus Racing will compete in
two support races in the Malaysian
F1 Grand Prix – the Formula BMW “It is good that a Malaysian in the pinnacle of motorspors, Malaysia’s only Formula 1
Pacific and the GP2 Asia Series. team have earned world wide Formula 1. driver, Alex Yoong, has had a long
Their drivers for the Formula recognition for their successes in India’s Narain Kartikeyan and relationship with the team and
BMW Pacific are Indonesians, Rio motorsports.” Japan’s Takuma Sato starred for drove for them in the opening
Haryanto and Dustin Sufyan. The team, who have won 32 Meritus before finding success in rounds of this season’s GP2 Asia
“I wish the team all the best for Asian titles in the past 12 years, F1. New Zealand’s Earl Bamber Series, which is also known as the
the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand including the last six Formula and Malaysia’s Jazeman Jaafar also F1 Development Series.
Prix and also in their future races,” BMW Pacific Championships, have started their careers with Meritus Many of the current batch of
said the honourable Dato Seri a tradition of unearthing talented and they are seen as the next big Formula One drivers, including
Abdullah at his office. drivers who have gone on to race talents in motorsports. world champion Lewis Hamilton,

8 Track Record 2009


graduated from the GP2 Series.
The Meritus team are the only
Asian outfit granted a license to
compete in the GP2 Asia Series.
Meritus Racing have worked
hard to raise the standard of local
motorsports with their keen eye
for talent spotting young drivers
and the development of race
engineers and mechanics.
This can be seen from their
all-local backroom staff in the
Formula BMW Pacific as well as
the Formula V6 Asia which the
team have dominated for the last
three years.
Firhat said: “I would like to
thank the honourable Prime
Minister for taking time out from
his tight schedule to hand over the
Jalur Gemilang to us.
“I know Meritus Racing will
be inspired by his support for a
Malaysian team and this will spur
us on as we compete in our home
“I wish the
team all
the best
for the
Malaysian
Formula 1
Grand Prix
and also in
their future
races.”
–Dato Seri
Abdullah
race in Sepang.
“Hopefully, we can have a
Malaysian driver back in the GP2
car in the near future. Alex really
wanted to continue driving for
us but had too many business
commitments to take care off.”
Team founder, Peter Thompson
said: “We have been working hard
behind the scenes as we want to
put on a great show in front of our
home fans.
“I’m relatively confident we can
challenge the more established
teams when we race in Malaysia
and Bahrain. Can we finish on the
podium? Why not? The backroom
staff have worked hard, the drivers
have been on the simulators
and the support from the Prime
Minister and the government gives
us an extra spark.”
With their track record, don’t be
surprise if My Qi Meritus.Mahara
live up to their lofty ambitions.
Meritus DRIVER
MERITUS: “A Championship winning Malaysian Brand”
Management: Headed by Firhat Yuri Bin Dr. Dato
Mokhzani
Main Business: Providing advertising and promotional
services, international Formula Motorsport race
engineering services, driver tuition and career
development. Proposed expansion into formula
racecar design and manufacture here in Malaysia for
regional use and export.
Formula:
1. Formula BMW Pacific (six time champions
03,04,05,06,07,08)
2. Formula V6 Asia (two time champion 07,08)
GP2 Asia; the only Asian team in the F1 development
series
1. Formula BMW: The international Formula BMW
is the most successful junior series globally for
the development of young drivers careers and the
Malaysian brand MERITUS is the most successful team
in this series.
2. Formula V6: FV6 is the next step on the Asian
motorsport ladder offering professional race
drivers 370bhp power cars loaded with all the latest
technology. The series visits up to six Asian countries
and has 8620 minutes screened to a potential
620million in 100 countries.
3. GP2 Asia: GP2 is a FoM (Formula One Management)
owned championship. Mr Bernie Ecclestone is the
head of the management team and assisted with the
MERITUS GP2 Asia team entry. MERITUS are the only
truly Asian team in the series and have impressed with
their podium results. GP2 Asia is filmed by FOM-TV
and screened globally through the F1 distribution
networks. GP2 is the “F1 development championship”
and MERITUS’ sponsors have gained a cost effective
exposure to Formula One. GP2 supports most of the
F1 events including the Malaysian GP and three GP2
champions have been awarded coveted F1 drives
including: Nico Rosberg (Williams), Lewis Hamilton
(McLaren) and Timo Glock (Toyota).
MERITUS F1 Drivers: MERITUS helped their Asian
champions Narain Karthikeyan, Takuma Sato and
Hopin Tung to achieve their F1 goals.
Malaysian Drivers: MERITUS 1st Asian title with
Malaysian driver Ng Wai Leong in 2000
MERITUS 2nd Asian title with Malaysian Jazeman Jaffar
in 2007
MERITUS Winners: MERITUS is the Winner of 32 Asian
motorsport titles (including F.BMW and FV6) since
1996.
MERITUS Staff: MERITUS have 24 full time engineers/
mechanics, half of whom are Malaysians.
MERITUS Drivers: MERITUS will have 12 cars (2xGP2,
7xBMW, 3xFormula V6) in the three series with three
European and four Asian drivers currently contracted
for the 2009 season.
Budget: Full budget for all teams is close to
US$6 million
Meritus Media Coverage: Due to the team’s
successes on the track, Meritus receive tremendous
media coverage, the breakdown is as follows:
1. TV (US$30-40 million per season)
2. Print (US$10 million per season)
3. Other electronic media (US$8 million per season)
Superbrand Status: Meritus was last year awarded
the prestigious Superbrand Status in Malaysia.
Track Record 2009 9
 Meritus Team Chairman: Raad Abduljawad
Raad: New drivers will
deliver podium finishes
M
y Qi Meritus.
Mahara team
chairman Raad
Abduljawad is
confident the
team’s two new drivers, Marco
Bonanomi of Italy and Portugal’s
Alvaro Parente, have it in them to
end the season on a high.
Bonanomi, who has taken part
in two GP2 Asia Series races for
the Meritus team, was brought in
as a replacement for Malaysia’s
Alex Yoong, who had to opt out of
the championship due to business
10 Track Record 2009
commitments.
Parente, meanwhile, replaced
New Zealand’s Earl Bamber, who
is representing his country in
another championship.
Despite these changes to the
line-up, Raad is optimistic the
drivers can get on the podium
in the last two rounds of the
championship.
Based in Subang, Malaysia,
Meritus’ headquarters is a stone’s
throw away from the Sepang
International Circuit (SIC) which
will host the fifth round of this
season’s GP2 Asia Series from
April 3-5. Two weeks later, Bahrain
will host the sixth and final round.
My Qi Meritus.Mahara
are currently eighth in the
championship standings with
eight points. Last season, they
finished a credible seventh, not
bad for a team, making their
debut in the F1 development
series. And that too, against highly
experienced European outfits.
“We have two good drivers
on board with Marco and Alvaro
providing the team with good
feedback,” said Raad. “I’m
delighted they are driving for us.
They have helped us on the car
set-up as this is evident from our
timing in the races.
“We set the fastest lap in the
last round in Qatar but could not
capitalise on the times due to bad
luck and tyre problems. We just
need to overcome the setbacks
and work on our qualifying to be
among the leaders in the race.”
Raad explained that the team
are consistently evolving and
that they are serious in reaching
their targets of getting more
podiums and being among the
top teams in this deliciously tight
championship.
Bamber caused a sensation
when he was on the podium in the
season opener last October and
Raad is confident, with more luck,
that feat can be repeated soon.
“We have ambitions of being
one of the major teams in GP2
Asia and will work hard to achieve
this goal,” he said.
“We had one podium already
this season and we are working
towards having more in the last
two rounds.”
Raad, the business manager
and the managing director of
one of the top ranking Saudi
business companies, Saudi Diesel
Equipment Co. Ltd, a company
that manufactures generators and
sells construction equipment, fell
in love with cars and motorsports
from a young age thanks to his
father’s activities which included
importing cars to Saudi Arabia.
That is why, when Meritus
Racing approached him two years
ago to be part of their GP2 Asia
Series project, he jumped at the
chance to get involved with the F1
development championship.
“Historically, there is a lot of
interest in motor racing in Saudi
Arabia. Saudi airlines and TAG
are Saudi-owned companies who
have invested in F1 for many years.
But again many factors join forces
and the entire area is roaring with
interest,” said Raad.
“The competition between the
Dubai Autodrome, the Bahrain GP,
the new Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
ensures that racing is featured
almost daily in the news. Beyond
race tracks, the development of
young drivers and young Arab
winners is currently in progress. It
is a long process. But it all belongs
together.
“In terms of racing events
that bring people and race fans
enthusiastically together, the
situation still has to develop
in Saudi Arabia. There is a
permanent drag strip in Djeddah,
which is a start. There are lots of
events very close to motocross,
but no Formula 1 or other junior
Formula races yet.”
He is hoping his ties with
Meritus founder, Peter Thompson,
will help fulfil this dream.
“We renewed our relationship

NEW HOPES: Raad is confident
Parente (left) and Bonanomi
can bring more success to My
Qi Meritus.Mahara
around the time of the first
Bahrain Grand Prix on April 4,
2004 when we both decided to
help grow young local drivers.
I convinced Peter Thompson to
help the young champion who
would become the 2005 Formula
BMW Asia winner, Hamad Al
Farden,” recalled Raad.
“Hamad had just turned 18
and on his birthday he took his
first ever Formula win in round
5 of the Formula BMW Asia
Championship. Hamad drove
a fault-free race, pressuring his
team mate and getting the win.
“We have always kept in touch
and when Peter asked me if I was
interested in being of the GP2
Asia dream, I said yes. It can only
be good for motorsports in the
middle east to be involved with
such a high level of racing.”
My Qi Meritus.Mahara are a
household name in the Middle
East and part of his reason is
partly due to the hardwork and
determination of Raad.
My qi-Meritus.Mahara
He has been working tirelessly
to promote the team and being a
perfectionist, will only be happy
if they improve on their overall
showing this season.
He also harbours hope of one
day seeing an Arabic driver in the
car, although he warned it won’t
happen overnight.
“It is important to train the
right driver first, prepare him and
bring him up to the right level
to compete at the front. You can
spoil a career if you progress it
too early,” he said.
“There is a very slight
possibility to bring someone
from the country in the team’s
car. But too early would be a
career mistake. What the team
would also like to do is to invite
representatives of the Federation
and the sporting authorities
or the President of Youth and
Welfare to get more familiar SENSATIONAL: Earl
with the team. Only then, can Bamber celebrates his
we dream of having an Arabic podium finish during
driver.” the China race last
October.
Track Record 2009 11
 Meritus boss peter thompson

“We are now

in Asia for
12 years and
have won 32
championships
in that time.
I think the
closest
team have
won two.”

T
here may be 13 GP2
Asia teams but only
one will be able to
claim to be truly
“Asian” – My Qi-
Meritus.Mahara.
The Malaysia-Saudi racing
team, who have won 32 of their
34 championships in Asia in the
past 12 years, and have employed
almost every Asian driver who
has reached Formula One since
1998, were recently awarded the
‘super-brand’ status.
Team founder Peter Thompson
told Emirates Business how they
went from humble beginnings to
‘super-brand’ status.
“The Meritus story begins
on a farm in Ireland,” recalled
Thompson. “Our family were
farmers with no background in
motor racing, but I had a passion
for cars so I studied automative
design and worked in the industry.
“In 1980, when I was 23, with
a £1,000 loan from my mother I
formed what was Ireland’s first

Thompson opens
automative industry on the farm.
I sold the horses and the stables
became the offices, the cows were
sold and their pen became the

doors for Asians

assembly, fabrication place and
the hen houses became the paint
house. We utilised all the facilities
on the farm for Thompson Motor
Company (TMC).

12 Track Record 2009


It’s this dream that took
Thompson to England in 1988
where he started Meritus, the
racing team. After competing
successfully in Europe for several
years, the Irishman decided to
expand into Asia in 1995.
“That’s when I fell in love
with Malaysia,” said Thompson,
who has lived there ever since.
“I was also successful in finding
sponsorship money in Asia –
which is essential to survive in
motor racing.
“Motor racing is about
engineering and good drivers,
but if you can’t find sponsorship
money it will never be a business
as it all revolves around the
sponsors.
“When we moved to Asia, I
phoned Marlboro and explained
my business and as they didn’t
have a team in Asia, we did a
three-year deal in 1995.
“In 1996, we won the Formula
BMW Asia championship with
Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan,
who went on to race in Formula
One [in 2005 for Jordan]. In 1997,
Takuma Sato was the winner [and
he progressed to Formula One in
2002].
“We are now in Asia for
12 years and have won 32
championships in that time.
I think the closest team have
won two.”
Malaysian team Director Firhat
Mokhzani invested in Meritus
in the late 1990s making it a
part-Asian owned team, while
Saudi Arabian businessman Raad
Abduljawad bought a stake in the
team last year, when they took
part in the inaugural GP2 Asia
series, to give My Qi-Meritus.
Mahara a Middle East co-owner
as well.
The team have a reputation for
identifying and nurturing young
talented drivers from the region
and when the concept of a GP2
Asia series was formulated, F1
boss Bernie Ecclestone offered
Meritus the only Asian license for
GP2. So, what has helped Meritus
achieve so much success?
“I think it’s the personality
of the team,” said Thompson.
“We have created a family
environment.
“Sometimes drivers are not
Meritus boss
taken care of by a team, but I’m
like a father to these boys. When
they have an argument with
their parents they come live in
my house – when they come to
Malaysia they live in my house.
“I have five children of my
own, but sometimes I have six
more race drivers living at my
house – which creates a family
environment for the team.”
“Motor
Success on the track means racing
success in the bank as well and
despite recent news that Formula
is about
One are looking at new ways engineering
to cut costs in the near future,
motorsport is still a lucrative and good
business for Meritus.
“The GP2 season is costing
drivers, but if
us €1.7m and we target to make you can’t find
about €2.5m – a 20 per cent return
on our investment. “Sometimes
sponsorship
things don’t go according to plan money it will
and accidents happen, but the
insurance covers most of the never be a
losses.
“The cost per driver is
business as it
€100,000 for Formula BMW, all revolves
€275,000 for V6 and €650,000 for
GP2 and for that they get a third of
around the
the ad rights on the car. We try to sponsors.”
sell the ad rights at around €1.5m
euros per car and so the company
does turn over quite a bit, but we
invest a lot back into the company.
“The success of Meritus also
attracts sponsors – they like
Track Record 2009 13
 Meritus boss peter thompson
winning, they are not fools.
Sponsors want to generate more
exposure for their company. Last
year, we generated $35m from
television for sponsors and $9m in
the print media.
“Every article that gets written,
we get professional people to
evaluate it. Like, for example,
last season in the GP2 we had
about 350 articles written on us
in the print media, 100 on the
internet and we generated $5m for
sponsors on TV. We also spent
$2.5m on advertising campaigns in
Asia and the Middle East.”
So what are Thompson’s plans
for Meritus in the future?
“Meritus were awarded ‘super-
brand’ in Asia, and we are only the
81st company to get it. This shows
14 Track Record 2009
“We
introduce
them to F1
the sponsors we are a serious teams who in his first ever GP2 race.
company. We are a Meritus brand
now.
then take the The 18-year old New Zealander
finished sixth and second
“We want to use the success drivers out respectively in his first two races
to generate other avenues in of our Asia at the Shanghai circuit, impressing
motorsport.
“I want to get into
programme racing experts. For now though,
Thompson is happy to act as a
manufacturing Asian race cars into F1 feeder for F1 teams.
within the next two years. Next
year I plan to launch a Meritus
development “We have development
programmes for our drivers,” said
lifestyle clothing range. programmes Thompson.
“Just as Virgin got into different and there is “We introduce them to F1
things, we want to do the same.
Obviously, we will never be as big
transfer a fee teams who then take the drivers
out of our Asia programme into
as Virgin, but we want to move involved in F1 development programmes and
the brand in different directions
as well.”
buying their there is transfer a fee involved in
buying their contract from us.”
In the future, one of those contract If they keep on winning,
directions could be Formula One,
considering how well upcoming
from us.” perhaps, Meritus may not be just a
feeder team for the big boys much
young star Earl Bamber performed longer.
 ck e road
he tra on th
e s at t ance
u cce ss er fo rm
Our s et te r p
ve r b
deli

www.michelin.com

Track Record 2009 15

 Meritus DRIVER Marco Bonanomi

Italian stallion
M to show his
arco Bonanomi is
ready to live up
to expectations
in the final two

true colours
rounds of the GP2
Asia Series which will be held in
Malaysia and Bahrain.
The Italian, who joined the
team after Malaysia’s only Formula
1 driver, Alex Yoong, withdrew due
to business commitments, came
with high credentials after winning
the final race of the inaugural GP2
Asia Series last year.
However, he has yet to get
any points since joining the team
earlier this season. He, however,
is confident of breaking his duck
soon.
“I knew Peter Thompson (Team
founder) from the last GP2 Asia
season when I was driving for
another team,” said Bonanomi.
“This year, he approached me to
drive for the whole championships
but I had other commitments in
America and Europe and was only
available to drive in January. When
he approached me again, I jumped
at the chance as Meritus are a
successful team on and off the
track. They have a good reputation
and I knew they will help me to
grow as a driver.
“My target in the final two
rounds is to get as many points
as possible and try to get as many
podium positions as possible. We
are a young team but I’m confident
we can challenge for the points in
every race.
“Sepang is really crazy. Last
year, all the drivers were stunned
at the humidity as most of us were
wet from perspiration even before
the race started. For sure we need
drink lots of water before, during
and after the race.
“I have prepared myself well
and I’m looking forward to racing
and doing well in front of our
home fans. I want to give them
something to celebrate when they
come to cheer us on at Sepang.”
Like most drivers, Bonanomi
harbours hopes of making the
grade to Formula 1. He knows
racing in GP2 Asia, is the perfect
stepping stone as many of
the current crop of F1 drivers,
graduated from GP2.
“I would love to make the
grade to Formula 1 but for now,
I’m totally focussed on driving
for Meritus and earning as many
points as I can for this season.
It is not easy to make the step
up but I hope to one day get the
opportunity to race in the biggest
stage of all. I believe Meritus can
help me get there,” said Bonanomi.
Bonanomi raced in karts until
2001 when he moved up to both
Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup
and Italy Italian Winter Series.
He continued in the Italian
Championship with two races in
Eurocup. He continued in both
series in 2002 before graduating
to Formula 3 Italy in 2003 winning
a race and taking four podiums.
He also competed in the F3 Korea
Super Prix and the F3 Macau GP.
In 2004 he moved up to Formula
3 Euroseries and competed in a
couple of races of Formula 3 Italy.
He continued in F3 Euroseries
the following season and in 2006
when he also competed in Formula
3000 Italy. He finished the season
classified as runner up in Formula
3000 Italy (2006) and equally
runner up in Euroseries 3000
(2006).
In 2007 Bonanomi joined the
World Series by Renault finishing
on the podium twice and setting
a fastest lap. He also competed in
the International Formula Master
series scoring a pole position.
Bonanomi continued in the World
Series by Renault in 2008 and also
joined the inaugural GP2 Asia
Series, winning his first GP2 Asia
race in Dubai with Piquet Sports.
He was called by Audi for an
Official test on DTM car.
Bonanomi became a My Qi-
Meritus.Mahara driver in GP2 Asia
as of the Bahrain round in 2009.

16 Track Record 2009

 Meritus DRIVER

Marco Bonanomi
Date of birth: March 12, 1985
Place of birth: Lecco, Italy
Resident: Colle Brianza (Provincia di
Lecco - Regione Lombardia).
Country: Italy
GP2 Grand Prix starts: 12
Website: www.marcobonanomi.com
Height: 1.76m
Weight: 68kg
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Green and Grey
Blood type: O+
Marital status: Single
Hobbies: go-kart, cars, music and
snowboard
Favourite music: R&B, Rock
Favourite music artist: Linkin Park
Favourite food: Pasta and sushi
Favourite drink: Avocado juice

Track Record 2009 17

 Meritus DRIVER Alvaro Parente
Parente
adds a dash
of class
H
is Latin good looks
and racing pedigree
make Alvaro Parente
a firm favourite with
female racing fans.
In fact, during the fourth round
of the GP2 Asia Series in Doha,
a female race official remarked
that Parente and his My Qi
Meritus.Mahara team mate Marco
Bonanomi, have made Meritus the
best looking team on the grid!
While Parente may enjoy
the attention, he only has a one
track mind when he is behind
the wheel, and that is to get the
chequered flag.
He made a stunning start to
his GP2 career in the opening
round of last season at the Circuit
de Catalunya, Parente won the
feature race making him the first
Portuguese driver to win in GP2
Series.
There, Parente led from start
to finish, to claim victory ahead of
Brazilian Bruno Senna and UAE’s
Andreas Zuber. He eventually
finished eighth in the drivers’
championship.
While chalking up points for
his previous team, he noticed the
all-red My Qi Meritus.Mahara
cars in the GP2 Asia Series.
“I heard about the team
last season and followed the
championship and watched them.
I can remember the Indonesia
18 Track Record 2009
podium with Luca di Filippi. The
team have a very good image. It
was not hard for Peter Thompson
and Gianfranco Bielli to convince
me to join such a strong team,”
said Parente.
“The team’s results have
shaken established teams with
their performance. I’ll do my best
to show the team, Questnet, the
sponsor, and the fans what I can
do. I hope that my experience in
GP2 and A1 Grand Prix will help.”
A close friend of Manchester
United winger Cristiano
Ronaldo, Parente is obviously a
big football fan and even did an
advertisement with the world
player of the year. He also enjoys finish in Malaysia.” 11 wins along the way. The
tennis and said both those sports Parente started competitive performance earned him a chance
helped him keep in shape during racing in karts in 1994 when he to represent his country in the
the off season. was just 10, winning national newly launched A1 Grand Prix
“I stayed fit by doing lots of championships along the way. His Series.
sports tennis, football without first major success came in 1998 In 2006 Parente joined the
hurting myself – going to the gym. when he won the European Junior World Series by Renault and took
Sports takes a lot of time in a Karting Championship. his first win in only his fifth race.
day,” he said. He continued to impress and He became the series champion a
“Mentally I just stay relaxed by 2001, at the age of 16 joined the year later with two race wins, and
and focused on the approach Spanish F3 Championship and the five podium finishes.
to a race. I try to imagine and year after finished fourth overall. As a prize for winning the
concentrate on the next track. In 2003 he joined the F3 World Series, Parente tested for
“I have raced in Sepang before Euroseries as his career really the Renault F1 team in 2008 and
so I know what to expect. I’m began to flourish. He also joined the GP2 series winning the
determined to make it a grand competed in Italian Formula 3 opening round of the season.
time for our fans. I have tasted and British Formula 3, where he Parente became a My Qi-
victory in GP2 before and who continued in 2004 and ended Meritus.Mahara driver in GP2
knows, with a little bit of luck, we up winning the competitive Asia as of the Doha round
could be celebrating a podium championship in 2005 taking in 2009.
 Meritus DRIVER

Alvaro Parente
Date of Birth: 4 Oct 1984
Place of birth: Porto, Portugal
Races entered: 172
Wins: 20
Podiums: 40
Pole positions: 15
Fastest laps: 10
Website: www.alvaro-parente.com
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 69 kg
Eyes: Brown
Blood type: A+
Hobbies: Surfing, Tennis, Soccer
Favourite music: Buzzin, Shwayze,
Cisco
Favourite food: Italian
Favourite drink: Orange juice,
Soccerade

Track Record 2009 19

 Meritus

20 Track Record 2009

 Meritus

Track Record 2009 21

 Meritus DRIVER Rio Haryanto
Date of birth: 22/1/1993
Height: 1.68m
Weigh: 60kg
Hobbies: Fishing, snorkeling
Favourite drink: Milo, mineral
water
Favourite food: Pasta, pizza,
nasi lemak
Racing idol: Aryton Senna
Life’s no
carvinal for Rio
Rio Haryanto is facing the
biggest challenge of his young
career. Just 16, the Indonesia lad
will spearhead Meritus’ challenge
in this year’s Formula BMW
Pacific.
Meritus have dominated the
Formula BMW for the last six
years, easily taking the team title
with a combination of hard work,
talent and most important of all,
great team effort.
Meritus drivers like Narain
Kartikeyan, Takuma Sato, Earl
Bamber, Jazeman Jaafar and Ross
Jamison have all won the Formula
BMW drivers’ title and this could
be the year for Rio to join the elite
list of winners.
Rio, who began his racing
career with karts when he was only
six-years-old, said he is delighted
to make the step up to single-
seater racing.
“Everyone knows about Meritus
and their winning tradition. My
elder brother, Roy, drove for them
several years ago and I’m glad to
follow in his footsteps,” said Rio,
who has received the backing
of Indonesian Sports Minister
22 Track Record 2009
Adhyaksa Dault.
“It is going to be a long hard
season and getting used to the
extra speed in Formula BMW will
be the toughest challenge. This
will be my first major test on the
road to fulfilling my dream of
eventually becoming a Formula 1
driver.
“I know that may seem like an
impossible task as not many Asians
Rio Haryanto,
Indonesian Sports
Minister Adhyaksa
Dault and Peter
Thompson.
have succeeded in F1, but I will do
my best to get to the highest level
possible in motorsports,” added
Rio, who idolises the late Ayrton
Senna.
Rio certainly has the right
credentials as he was the quickest
driver in the final two rounds of of
pre-season testing in March.
Team owner-cum-manager
Firhat Mokhzani said: “”We have a
great car and a good driver but as
we all know, we can’t take anything
for granted in racing.
“We must continue working
hard as anything can happen
during qualifying and we must be
on the look out to ensure we get
everything right on race weekend.”
Team founder and president,
Peter Thompson said: “Rio’s older
brother, Roy, raced for us 12 years
ago and he was the one who put us
in touch with Rio.
“Rio has taken to the Formula
BMW like a duck to water. He has
been brilliant in all our testing and
has consistently topped the times.
“There is a lot of pressure on his
young shoulders but I’m sure Rio
has what it takes to continue our
winning tradition.
“I have been very impressed
with his times as he has been about
half a second quicker than all his
rivals during testing. This augurs
will for the coming season which
begins in Malaysia next month.”
If Rio lives up to his potential,
then there will be a carnival in
his hometown big enough to rival
anything found Brazil.

Dustin wants to be
new Schumacher
Dustin Sofyan has big
dreams. And that is to follow in
the footsteps of the great Michael
Schumacher.
The 14-year-old Indonesian has
certainly come to the right place
to learn his race craft as he will be
driving for Meritus Racing in this
season’s Formula BMW Pacific.
Meritus are Asia’s most
successful motorsports team,
having won 32 international titles
in the past 12 years.
Six of those titles have come
from consecutive Formula BMW
team crowns while the likes of
Narain Kartikeyan, Takuma Sato,
Earl Bamber, Jazeman Jaafar and
Ross Jamison have taken the
Formula BMW drivers’ title.
Such exalted company does
not fazed Dustin, who said he
can’t wait for the flag off for this
season’s championship.
“I’m delighted Meritus have put
me in their car for this season’s
Formula BMW. It will be a big
challenge but I’m looking forward
to it,” said Dustin, who is also into
water sports.
“I would love to emulate my
hero, Michael Schumacher, and
race in Formula 1 one day but I
know it won’t be easy. I’m still
trying to get a good education as
a back-up. It is not easy juggling
both but I feel it is important for
me to have a back-up plan.
“I’m looking at driving for Team
Indonesian in A1 in five years time
and then moving on to F1. I don’t
know if I can do it, but it has been
Dustin Sofyan Meritus DRIVER
Date of birth: 29/7/1994
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 60kg
Hobbies: Fishing, water sports,
hanging out with friends
Favourite drink: Sprite
Favourite food: American, Italian
Indonesian and Malaysian food
Racing idol: Michael Schumacher
little more but that will come with
more races under his belt.
“It is never easy making the
step up to single-seaters but
Dustin has the right attitude to
succeed.”
Team founder, Peter
Thompson, said: “We waited 12
years to get another Indonesian
driver and suddenly, two gems
come along.
“It just goes to show how much
talent there really is in South East
Asia.”
FORMULA BMW PACIFIC
CALENDAR
Round 1 Malaysia
(April 3-5, 2 races)
Round 2 Malaysia
my dream for a long time and I (May 22-24, 4 races)
hope to achieve it.”
Team owner-cum-manager Round 3 Indonesia
Firhat Mokhzani said he has been (July 17-19, 4 races)
pleasantly surprised by Dustin. Round 4 Singapore
“He may be 14, but he has a (Sept 25-27, 2 races)
matured head on his shoulders,” Round 5 Japan
said Firhat. (Oct 30-Nov 1, 2 races)
“We have been quite pleased
with his attitude during our recent Round 6 Macau
tests. He just needs to stay focus a (Nov 20-22, 1 race)
Track Record 2009 23
 Meritus team manager firhat mokhzani
Big brother Firhat
F
irhat Mokhzani joined
Meritus as Managing
Director of Asian
Operations in 1999, and led
the team to championship success
for the first time with a Malaysian
driver (Ng Wai Leong) in 2000.
With the restructuring of the
team in 2005 Firhat took on the
extra role as ‘Team Manager’
in charge of all the team race
operations. He is also responsible
for specific data analysis
supporting the team’s engineers
and drivers.
As a former successful racer
himself, Firhat knows what it
takes to to create champions. He
is sometimes referred to as “my
older brother” by some of Meritus
drivers as he is constantly by their
side advising them and helping
correct their faults.
Recognised as Asia’s most
successful team manager, Firhat
has helped the Meritus Racing
Team cement their position
as Asia’s most successful
motorsports team with 32 titles in
the past 12 years.
TR: You had a successful year last
season with Jazeman Jaafar. You
24 Track Record 2009
seem to have the knack of polish
rough diamonds. That can be seen
with James Grunwell who has won
the Formula V6 Asia title. What’s
your secret?
Firhat: There is no secret really.
It is not easy and maybe I’ve been
lucky but I’ve had some talented
drivers to work with.
We are in the business of
teaching them to take care of
themselves, how to train properly,
race craft and how to handle the
media and sponsors.
Once we have taught them
these values, we go into testing
and it is easier for the driver to
improve.
TR: Drivers such as India’s Narain
Karthikeyan and Takuma Sato
have graduated from Meritus into
Formula 1. Can we expect more
Meritus drivers to make the grade?
Firhat: We have a good history
of unearthing good drivers
and it is my hope that we shall
continue to do so. Earl Bamber
earned rave reviews for his recent
performances and surprised many
when he finished on the podium
in his first two A1 races as well as
finishing second in the GP2 Asia
 Meritus team manager

“We are in the business of

teaching them to take care
of themselves, how to train
properly, race craft and
how to handle the media
and sponsors. Once we
have taught them these
values, we go into testing
and it is easier for the
driver to improve.”
Series. We also have great drivers
like Rio Haryanto and Dustin
Sufyan, to name but two. So the
potential is there.

TR: Meritus Racing have been

known as a stepping stone towards
bigger things for drivers, most
prominently your part in the early
years of Takuma Sato’s carreer
and a host of other drivers who’ve
now moved on. An interesting new
addition to the team’s repertoire
is set to be backed by sponsors Qi.
Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Firhat: It is a scholarship
programme for promising
Malaysian drivers. As you
know, Qi is a very passionately
Malaysian company and they
wanted to do something more
for the sport, rather than just be
sponsors of the team. On top of
that, we’ve realised that the nature
of the sport means the drivers
mainly come from those who have
the support from big sponsors
or from well-to-do families. This
programme will give young
drivers who are not so fortunate,
the chance to achieve their
goals. In a way, it is about giving
something back to the sport.

Track Record 2009

2008 25
 Meritus DRIVER A look back at 2008
Formula BMW Asia
PEPPER TASMIN
Competition No. 33
Date of Birth: June 19 1990
Place of Birth: South Africa
Nationality: South African
ROSS JAMISON
Competition No. 88
Date of Birth: March 19 1990
Place of Birth: Hong Kong
Nationality: Irish
CHRISTOPHER WOOTTON
Competition No. 68
Date of Birth: December 11 1988
Place of Birth: Australia
Nationality: Australian
ROSLAN ARVIN
Competition No. 78
Date of Birth: December 11 1988
Place of Birth: Malaysia
Nationality: Malaysian
26 Track Record 2009
SIMON MOSS
Competition No. 38
Date of Birth: July 20 1991
Place of Birt: South Africa
Nationality: South African
HUZAIR HURAN RASIP
Competition No. 58
Date of Birth: Sept 20 1988
Place of Birth: Malaysian
Nationality: Malaysian
KAZEEM MANZUR
Competition No. 28
Date of Birth: July 8 1991
Place of Birth: Britain
Nationality: Britain
Meritus drivers
Formula V6 Asia Series
EARL BAMBER
Competition No. 88
Date of Birth: July 9 1990
Place of Birth: New Zealand
Nationality: New Zealand
JAMES GRUNWELL
Competition No. 38
Date of Birth: February 4 1989
Place of Birth: Holland
Nationality: British
 A look back at 2008 Meritus DRIVER

Another Formula V6 Asia

successful Driver standings (Top five)

1. James Grunwell

season for
(The Pizza
Company Qi-Meritus,
Thailand) 133
2. Earl Bamber

Meritus
SUCCESS and Meritus go
hand-in-hand. In a year when there
were many new champions in
most motor racing categories, be
it on two wheels or four, around
the world, the Meritus brand has
continued to prosper in Asia
Five Asian titles this season and
accolades like being the only 81st
company to be awarded ‘Super
brand’ status in Asia, make Meritus
the team all drivers dream of
joining.
James Grunwell delivered the
latest titles to the Malaysian-based
team when he was crowned
champion in the Formula V6 Asia
in Shanghai, China.
The British driver, who was
born in Holland but races out of
Thailand, won three of the last
four races of the Formula V6 Asian
season to pip The Pizza Company
Team Qi-Meritus team mate
Bamber to the title.
Grunwell finished with 133
points, while Bamber ended with
105 despite not competing in the
last four races. The Pizza Company
Team Qi-Meritus also took the
team championship with 235
points, 79 more than their rivals.
These two championships were
the 31st and 32nd that the Meritus
team have won in 12 years.
“It feels good to win the
Championship but I am
disappointed at the way the last
race went. We went one way with
the setup, but for the conditions it
was a bit difficult to choose what
to do. Then it started pouring right
before the start. That was not what
we needed because it was drying
up two to three hours before the
race so we thought it would keep
drying up, so when it rained it
made the car difficult to drive. It
was a gamble that didn’t pay off.
“I’m happy with the way the
weekend went. Three out of four is
not too bad and being the Formula
V6 Asia Champion is good to have
on your resume because a lot of
good drivers have come out of this
Series” said Grunwell.
Meritus, who have dominated
the Formula BMW Pacific for the
last six years, made it another
clean sweep this season when
Ross Jamison clinched the drivers’
title with 222 points. Simon Moss
took the rookie driver of the year
award with 132 points to finish
third overall. In the team category,
Meritus collected 378 points, a
massive 99 points ahead of their
closest rivals.
The focus is now on the GP2
Asia series with sensational
young driver, Earl Bamber of
New Zealand and Malaysia’s only
Formula 1 pilot Alex Yoong leading
the way for My Qi-Meritus.Mahara.
In the team’s first outing of the
new season in China in October,
Bamber earned points in both the
sprint and main races, including a
podium finish in the sprint event.
In doing so, Bamber, 18, became
the youngest ever driver to finish
inside the top three of a GP2 race.
Bamber has continued to
impress in other series as well.
He was on the podium in his
first three A1 GP races for his
home country while he has
also competed in International
Formula Master, Formula Master
Italy, the Australian Formula 3
Championship, Formula V6 Asia
and Toyota Racing Series New
Zealand.
Yoong had a mixed start to his
season but it was understandable
as he had been out of racing for
most of the year. With more time
racing and several test drives in
other series like Speedcar, the
Malaysian is expected to be among
those challenging for the race lead
from now on.
“We have the right combination
of youth and experience for the
GP2 team,” said team founder,
Peter Thompson.
“Alex and Earl know each
other so well and in fact, Alex
was Earl’s first ever driver coach.
They work well together and are
determined to help us to the team
championship.
“I’m actually quite excited to be
back in Dubai. We have a special
relationship with the people here
and the support we get from the
fans is phenomenal.”
(The Pizza
Company Qi-Meritus,
New Zealand) 105
3. Isaiah-Ro Charlez
(Black Tara,
Australia) 85
4. Mark Williamson
(Team TARADTM,
Australia) 79
5. Hafiz Koh
(Team TARADTN,
Singapore) 77
Team standings (Top five)
1. The Pizza Company
Team Qi-Meritus 235
2. Team TARADTM 156
3. Black Tara 142
4. Champ Motorsport 91
5. E-Rain Racing 67
Formula
BMW Pacific
Driver standings (Top five)
1. Ross Jamison
(Meritus,
Hong Kong) 222
2. Sean McDonagh
(E-Rain,
South Korea) 173
3. Simon Moss
(Meritus,
Hong Kong) 132
4. Gabriel Chaves
(Atlantic Racing Team,
Colombia) 130
5. Ryuichi Nara
(E-Rain, Japan) 112
Team standings (Top five)
1. Meritus 378
2. E-Rain 279
3. Team Holzer PFX 218
4. Eurasia Motorsport 143
5. Mahara 137
Rookie-of-the-Year
Simon Moss
(Meritus, Hong Kong)

Track Record 2009 27

28 Track Record 2009

Zooming in
SINCE the successful conclusion
of the 10th Petronas Formula
One (F1) Malaysian Grand
Prix at Sepang International
Circuit (SIC), it has been said
that Malaysia will see a boom
in the development of the local
motorsport industry. Malaysian-
owned Meritus Team Founder
and President Peter Thompson
explains why he is upbeat about
the industry in this part of the
world.
Motorsport is big business in
Europe and the United States, but
in Asia, the multi-billion-dollar
industry only started to take
shape 10 years ago. With the rapid
development of the automotive
industry, experts say it could be
the next big thing in Asia, with
a money-churning potential
currently only in the region of
US$ 20-US$ 30 million for the
In Malaysia, provision of race engineering and
within a span championship management.
In Malaysia, analysts put
of five months the figure of national benefits
from July to generated at RM727.6 million
November over the past 10 years since the
last year, inaugural Grand Prix was held in
Meritus had Sepang in 1998, while the tourism
spin-off from this major sporting
accumulated event was estimated at RM1 billion
a total of 146 annually.
articles, with According to Thompson,
a regional the founder of Meritus - the
total of 485 leading multi- dimensional sports
marketing and race engineering
generating over services company based in Kuala
US$9 million Lumpur - when he first set up
of print media his company 12 years ago, Asian
advertising motorsport was not on the radar
value. ‘With screens of Europe. Ten years later,
after Malaysia’s very own F1 SIC
each article, was completed, Singapore’s former
there is brand Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew,
visibility coming regretted that he had overlooked
across from the potential of the industry.
the pages of SIC, covering a 5.542-km racing
track, is said to be one of the best
the print and in the world. The first country in
electronic Asia to host Southeast Asia’s first
media.’ F1 event, Malaysia won F1’s `Best
Grand Prix Circuit’ in 1999.
Since then, we now have the
Chinese Grand Prix, the Bahrain
Grand Prix and within two years,
will have two more regional Grand
Prix in Abu Dhabi and India.
Asian motorsport is well on its
way to equalling the values of its
European counterparts.
Thompson says within the
past decade, China has built
six circuits, with each of these
facilities hosting national and
international events annually.
Since the inaugural Bahrain Grand
Prix, we have seen the growth of
motorsport in the Middle East,
which now has five motorsport
facilities.
“The momentum of the
motorsport industry has already
started with many young Asian
motorsport careers already on
track to F1,’ he enthuses, pointing
out that Singapore is also forging
ahead with its own Grand Prix in
2008 and is set to beat the world-
famous Monaco GP as the location
for corporate entertainment and
product promotions.
In England, Thompson says, the
industry is estimated to be worth
something like US$2 billion a year.
“These figures include the
manufacturing of the majority of
the world’s racing cars supplying
thousands of motorsport
championships taking place
weekly on many hundreds of
circuits across Europe, whereas
in Asia at the moment, there are
only a handful of championships
annually,” he adds.
With the industry linked to
tourism and advertising budgets,
Thompson says he has every
reason to be upbeat about the
industry’s potential growth in
Asia, and Malaysian corporations
should take advantage of
motorsport sponsorship as an
efficient promotional medium for
their products to reach a global
audience.
Meritus
With vast media coverage of
motorsport events, brand visibility
is foremost on Thompson’s mind
when he talks passionately about
the benefits that Meritus offers to
corporate Malaysia, in terms of
advertising dollars.
In Malaysia, within a span
of five months from July to
November last year, Meritus
had accumulated a total of 146
articles, with a regional total of
485 generating over US$9 million
of print media advertising value.
‘With each article, there is brand
visibility coming across from the
pages of the print and electronic
media,’ he says.
“The next big icon is Malaysia’s
very own 15-year-old Jazeman
Jaafar - possibly the youngest
- who came first in the 2007
Formula BMW Asia with Meritus,”
he says. “By comparison, the cost
of training someone like Jazeman
in Asia would cost a family
US$200,000 in Asia, whereas
in Europe, it could be twice the
figure. Yet, with the emergence
of world- class racers like the
teenaged Jazeman, it clearly
proves that the quality of training
in Asia or Europe is no different,
and Jazeman has proved this is
true with his fifth place finish from
29 starters in his first European
event last week.
“It is a lot cheaper to train
the racers in Asia, because of
the lower cost structure, and
Jazeman’s success in Europe will
promote the benefits of Asian
motorsport to young Europeans
looking for a more cost-effective
route to hone their racecraft for
F1.”
The estimated cost to bring
the racer through from Karting
to F1 is around US$7 million to
US$8 million. These costs are for
the provision of race engineering
services from teams like Meritus.
Malaysian Business
Track Record 2009 29
 Meritus
Michel: Our championship has never
been healthier or more successful
GP2 Series Organiser Bruno
Michel talks objectives and stakes
for 2009 and beyond...
Bruno, the first 2009 GP2 test
session took place last week at Paul
Ricard. What first conclusions can
you draw?
Those first three days have been
very positive: our 2009 update kit
has been reliable and competitive
from the get go. Every day, track
records were broken in all circuit
configurations. We wanted to
gain performance from our new
engine and so far, the results
have been more than satisfactory.
And regarding our grid, the
competition will see more
experienced GP2 race winners
face off extremely talented rookie.
Our twenty-six drivers represent
sixteen different nationalities
on all five continents and our
field contains 24 race winners in
single-seater categories, including
GP2. Our championship has never
been healthier or more successful
with the twenty-six racers fighting
to get a drive in the series. I am
confident that we are looking at a
very exciting new season.
This year marks an important
30 Track Record 2009
anniversary in the history of GP2 as
the championship enters in its fifth
year. How would you evaluate the
first four seasons?
When we launched this new
championship back in 2005, we
had one aim: to build a category
which would display and develop
the talent and the capacities of
young drivers aspiring to make
it into Formula One. Five years
later, I am delighted to say that our
mission has been accomplished
with seven current Formula One
drivers who are GP2 graduates
including two F1 teams relying
entirely on the talent and
experience of former GP2 drivers.
This only makes our series the
most successful feeder category
for F1.
What would you say is the secret of
GP2’s success?
Basically one of the keys to
our success is to be able to
run alongside Formula One.
That means that our drivers
and teams are in the same
environment of Formula One and
their performance is constantly
monitored by the F1 teams
principals and experts. Not only
do we produce dramatic races at
a high-level, but we have become
an exciting shop-window for
teams and drivers. Another of
our recipe to success is that we
are running with cars extremely
similar to the ones running in F1
and we are racing on the same
track. Therefore, GP2 is the perfect
training ground and stepping
stone to the highest level of single-
seater. The best example today
is of course Lewis Hamilton who
grabbed the title in 2008 only in
his second F1 season, highlighting
our role as the most successful
Formula One feeder category. -
gp2series.com
DRIVERS’ STANDINGS
(TOP 10)
1. Kamui Kobayashi Dams 39
2. Davide Valsecchi
Durango 29
3. Nico Hulkenberg
ART Grand Prix 27
4. Sergio Perez Campos 25
5. Roldan Rodriguez
Piquet GP 22
6. Jerome d`Ambrosio
Dams 21
7. Vitaly Petrov Campos 19
8. Javier Villa Super Nova 12
9. Edoardo Mortara
Team Arden 11
10. Earl Bamber
My Qi Meritus.Mahara 8
TEAM STANDINGS
1. DAMS 60
2. Campos 44
3. ART Grand Prix 34
4. Durango 29
5. Piquet GP 22
6. Team Arden 13
7. Super Nova 12
8. My Qi Meritus.Mahara 8
9. GFH iSport 7
10. Trident 5
11. Ocean Racing 0
12. FMS 0
13. DPR 0

Surging Ahead,
Blazing Forward
P
riding itself with a
new logo; armed with
renewed spirit and
recharged enthusiasm,
Sepang International
Circuit (SIC) is embarking on a
new beginning as it moves into
its second decade of operations.
Declaring themselves as the
all-new SIC team and a rechanged
team under the leadership of a
young Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) Ahmad Razlan Ahmad
Razali, SIC aims to take the circuit
and Malaysia’s motorsport as a
whole to a new level.
Driven by a motto – alive with
ambition; and the belief that
together, as a team, SIC can bring
these ambitions to life, Razlan,
who officially took office on
October 5, last year, immediately
brought in a few new hands and
young minds, which he hoped
would supplement the experience
of the existing team.
“To move forward, SIC needs
to evolve. SIC needs to undergo
changes and that is what I had
made and would be making in
SIC – changes for the better of
the organisation,” said Razlan,
who revamped the existing work
organisation and introduced
a leading team of six chiefs –
marketing, technical, finance,
corporate and support services,
corporate communications and
events.
“With injection of fresh
ideas from the new recruits
and supported by the massive
experience from the existing team,
SIC will be even greater. The
circuit has gone through 10 years
of success and the time has come
to build on bigger success with a
new identity.
“Let’s not turn back and look
at the past. Instead, we need to
look forward to take SIC to a new
level,” he said, adding that changes
were necessary to move forward
and that each and every individual
at the company would need to
accept changes to be better.
“We need to get out of the box.
We need to implement new and
vibrant ideas. We simply need to
change to be better,” said Razlan,
who is known for his deep love
for motorsports; having spent
many years building the highly
successful Pineapple Motorsports
Racing Team.
“The 2009 Formula One
Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix
will not just be a race. It’s a
show – a showcase of the world’s
best racing drivers in the world’s
fastest cars; and a world class
performance of a world-renowned
international icon – Jamiroquai.
And; above all that, there’s plenty
more packages of excitement
during that race weekend.
“Indeed, it’s going to be an
event that no Malaysian should
miss. We are offering the cheapest
F1 ticket as compared to all the
other F1 venues; and we are even
giving special discount packages
for school children and college
students. Friday is open for free
for all; and children under-12 are
also allowed in for free at the open
hillstands for all three days to see
this world class race.”
Meritus
F1 STATS
• Sepang International
Circuit (SIC) will introduce
a new trophy for the 2009
Malaysian Grand Prix from
April 3-5. (ada pix attached)
• Renault’s double world
champion Fernando Alonso
has 21 Grand Prix wins, more
than any other current driver.
Ferrari’s 2007 champion
Kimi Raikkonen has 17 and
Brazilian team mate Felipe
Massa 11. Lewis Hamilton has
nine.
• The winner of the
Australian Grand Prix has
gone on to be champion in
eight of the last 11 years and
the last three seasons in a
row.
• Switzerland’s Sebastien
Buemi, in a Toro Rosso, is the
only driver to make his debut
this season.
• Brawn GP, replacing Honda,
are making their debut as a
team.
• Germany, with five, have
more drivers than any other
nation. Brazil are next with
three.
• Toyota’s Italian Jarno Trulli
started his 200th race in
Australia
F1 CALENDAR
01 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
(Melbourne) March 27-29
02 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
(Kuala Lumpur) April 3-5
03 CHINESE GRAND PRIX
(Shanghai) April 17-19
04 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
(Sakhir) April 24-26
05 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
(Catalunya) May 8-10
06 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2009
(Monte Carlo) May 21-24
07 TURKISH GRAND PRIX
(Istanbul) June 5-7
08 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
(Silverstone) June 19-21
09 GROSSER PREIS VON
DEUTSCHLAND 2009
(Nürburgring) July 10-12
10 MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2009
(Budapest) July 24-26
11 GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE
(Valencia) Aug 21-23
12 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
(Spa-Francorchamps) Aug 28-30
13 GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2009
(Monza) Sept 11-13
14 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
(Singapore) Sept 25-27
15 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
(Suzuka) Oct 2-4
16 GRANDE PREMIO DO BRASIL
(Sao Paulo) Oct 16-18
17 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
(Yas Marina Circuit) Oct 30-Nov 1
Track Record 2009 31
 Meritus
Qi invests
Qi, which
big in Meritus
also began in
H
1998, with its ONG Kong-based
group Qi Ltd, which
headquarters boasts a market base
of over three million
in Hong independent representatives and
Kong and an retail customers in both Asia
and the Middle East, has injected
operations a total of RM10 million into
sponsorship of Meritus racers over
office in the past two years.
The synergy which began
Malaysia, between Qi and Meritus since the
last leg of Formula V6 in Zhuhai,
today enjoys China in 2006 has brought so
an annual many mutual benefits for both
sponsor and racer team that,
turnover within the next five years, Qi
expects to pump in an average
of US$500 of between RM5 million to RM7
million a year, depending on the
million economic condition, in its quest to
promote motorsports in Malaysia.
(RM1.55 Call this patriotism, but if its
billion) in involvement in motorsports is
capable of generating goodwill,
e-commerce boosting sales and reinforcing
Qi’s brand image, the sponsorship
business. definitely makes good business
32 Track Record 2009
sense when adopted as a
mainstream marketing activity.
Qi- Meritus shirts up on the stand
during the GP2 Asia race recently
Speaking to Malaysian
Business, Qi Ltd’s Director of
was already a great feeling.
“It was like a family day
Investment Management Kuna environment, where our
Senathirajah says most part of the
RM10 million spent in the past two
customers were able to interact
with the Meritus team we had
years has gone into sponsorships
and other forms of hospitality and
sponsored,” he elaborates.
“Qi has its own brand image
public relations programmes in
Asia and the Middle East.
and its core values. As part of
our brand development, we have
Has Qi discovered a creative
way of marketing that has long
chosen to sponsor the motorsports
on a long-term approach to
been discovered by avid sponsors project Qi’s image as a dynamic
of Formula One and other Grand
Prix in Europe and the United
multinational conglomerate that
is always spearheading into new
States?
A convinced Kuna believes
territories. Five years ago, we
would never have thought of
that Qi has achieved its ultimate
objective as Meritus’ Golden Title
motorsports, but since it is capable
of reaching our market segment,
Sponsor.
“As a matter of fact, we notice
we decided to give it a shot.”
It is well noted that 10 years
a correlation between our after Malaysia’s very own
annual sales turnover and Qi’s
involvement in the motorsports
Formula One Sepang Circuit was
completed and the first Petronas
since two years ago,’ he enthuses.
Just seeing 5,000 of its
Formula One was held in 1999,
a year construction began,
customers in Doha wearing the even Singapore has asked to be

included in the Formula One race
circuit recently. Its former Prime
Minister, Lee Kuan Yew regretted
that he had overlooked the
potential of the industry.
Qi, which also began in 1998,
with its headquarters in Hong
Kong and an operations office in
Malaysia, today enjoys an annual
turnover of US$500 million
(RM1.55 billion) in e-commerce
business. Its offerings are mainly
high-end products targeted at the
middle- class market segment in
some 160 countries around the
world.
“The nature of our business
and our long-term strategy is to
focus on the creation of world-
class champions,’ quips Kuna.
“We share the Meritus vision to
develop young talents who will
hopefully someday emerge as
world champions.”
For that, Qi has achieved its
ultimate business objective as a
major title sponsor.
- Malaysian Business
Meritus
About Qi Ltd
Qi Ltd, a multinational conglomerate with
regional offices in Malaysia, Hong Kong,
and Singapore, was established in 1998 to
spearhead the development of a dynamic
group of companies. The rapidly expanding QI
Group of Companies’ business portfolio covers
retailing, travel and leisure to interactive
marketing, technology, financial services,
corporate investments, training and education,
business consulting and logistics.
The Qi Group, through its subsidiaries
and associate companies, has a presence in
nearly 30 countries, including an operational
headquarters in Malaysia, a marketing and
product development team in Thailand and
a telecommunications arm in the United
Kingdom. The Qi Group has over 1,000
employees, and a global customer base of
more than three million spread across 160
countries. For more information, please visit
<http://www.qi-ltd.com/>www.qi-ltd.com.
About QuestNet
QuestNet is the flagship business of Qi Ltd
and is a leading network marketing company
serving almost four million entrepreneurs
across the globe. Through its industry-leading
marketing services, QuestNet is a distributor
of wellness products, limited edition coins and
medallions, watches and jewellery, holiday
memberships, and technology products.
QuestNet is supported by an extensive
network of representative offices and
associate companies in Malaysia, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, South
Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates,
India and Brazil. Find out more at <http://www.
quest.net/>www.quest.net.
About The V
V Global Management Sdn Bhd (The V) is
an international marketing, training events,
network management and development
company focused on providing quality training
“We share the to a growing number of global entrepreneurs.
Meritus vision to The V is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia with offices and V Training Centres
develop young (VTCs) in Philippines, India and Canada. Its
talents who will subsidiaries include V-Studios (Production
Company), GITA (Training Academy) and PR
hopefully someday WorldWide Live (Events Company). The V is
emerge as world a member of the QI Group of Companies. For
more information, please visit <http://www.
champions.” the-v.net/>www.the-v.net.
Track Record 2009 33
 Meritus

Qi and J
oachim Steffen, Qi GP2 Project Director, has been following
the progress of Malaysian-Saudi racing outfit, My Qi-
Meritus.Mahara since the inaugural seasons. He knows the
ups and downs of motorsports means no team and no driver

Meritus,
can ever be sure certain of winning until the chequered flag is
waved.
But My Qi-Meritus.Mahara’s success story, 32 Asian titles in
just 12 years, has convinced Steffen Qi has made a wise move

a recipe
investing in the only truly Asian team on grid for the GP2 Asian
series.
He shares his thoughts with Track Record.

for success
TR: What are your thoughts on the
team’s debut season in the GP2 Asia
last year?
Steffen: I think it was a bold
step given the fact that it was our
first foray in the GP2 Asia series.
I am extremely proud that we
were and still are the only truly
Asian team who had a relatively
good performance in their rookie
season.
I am proud of My Qi-Meritus.
Mahara who put together an
experienced and accomplished
team that will surely produce
quality results a second time
around. They have a winning
history with Formula BMW and
Formula V6, especially in the
rookie championships, so now its
time to take what they’ve learned
and apply it to winning the GP2
Asia series championship.
TR: What are the improvements
that you expect to see in the team in
the new season?
Steffen: Seeing as this is the
second time the My Qi-Meritus.
Mahara team will work together,
I think you will see the chemistry
and synergy that developed during
the first season. I believe this will
be the defining moment where
My Qi-Meritus.Mahara makes a
name for itself, ultimately bringing
Malaysia, their home country, to
the world.
Earl Bamber made us proud
when he became the youngest
ever driver to have a podium finish
in GP2 history when he clinched
runners-up in the sprint race in
China in October.
Bearing in mind, it was his only
his second ever GP2 race,it was
certainly a great achievement.
TR: Why did the company decide to
get involved in motorsportsand how
has it gained?
Steffen: QuestNet, Qi’s flagship
company, serves over 4 million
network marketing Independent
Representatives (IR) worldwide
and we believe a parallel exists
between motorsports and
network marketing. Both career
paths require discipline, passion,
goal-setting, and an overall
commitment to success. It’s
that winning attitude that has
brought QuestNet as well as My
Qi-Meritus.Mahara to where we
are today.
We have also found that our
IRs really feed off the excitement
connected to motorsports,
especially in Malaysia and the
Middle East. This ultimately
translates into another way to
motivate our IRs to perform at
their highest level.
TR: What has been the single
biggest impact of being involved in
motorsports?
Steffen: Performance. You
really see the passion and
enthusiasm on the faces of our
IRs while attending the race
events. We have seen positive
results following race weekends
where our IRs have switched
into a higher gear, ultimately
enhancing their performance in
the business. Motorsports is by far
the ideal platform to inspire our
representatives.
TR: What’s the next step for the
company and how is it handling the
global credit crunch?
Steffen: During these difficult
times, there is no other better
business that can survive and
weather the storm than network
marketing. QuestNet provides
people with an alternative to a
traditional business. Think about
it, millions could potentially
lose their jobs and most will find
network marketing to be their
silver lining.
It’s also good to note that
QuestNet started in 1998 when
the economy in Asia was also
very bleak, and look where we are
today. We operate on the basic
principle of enabling people to
realise their dreams and that’s
what keep us going.

34 Track Record 2009

Track Record 2009 35
 Meritus
Dubai Autodrome
in safe hands
The economic crunch may
be hitting people’s wallets around
the world, but the chairman of
the Dubai Autodrome is confident
his circuit will continue to grow
and host many more major racing
events.
Saeed Khalfan, who has been
working tirelessly to promote
motor racing in the Middles
East, said everything is in place
financially, for Dubai Autodrome
to continue to shine as a beacon
for motorsports enthusiasts in the
Middle East.
“I know many people are
worried about the economic
crunch but I would like to assure
motor racing fans that all our
proposed events, such as the
Speedcar and GP2 Asia Series will
go on as planned,” he said.
“Our academy is also doing a
good job. Our aim is to help make
motorsports the most popular
sporting event in the Middle
East. We have also been helped
by the decision to hold Formula
One races in Bahrain. We have
benefited from the publicity and
“That has not deterred us from continuing to put on a grand
show for the GP2 and Speedcar series. We are proud and
happy our region has got two Formula 1 races and we will
continue to help our neighbours to promote their events.”
36 Track Record 2009
we hope to continue doing our bit
for motor racing.”
For the record, the Dubai
Autodrome was the region’s first
fully integrated motorsports
facility. The complex, a part
of the Union Properties
Motorcity development, not
only includes an FIA sanctioned
5.39km circuit, which offers six
different configurations, but also
incorporates a Race & Driving
school and a CIK approved
Karting track.
Officially inaugurated in
October 2004 when it hosted
the final round of the FIA GT
Championship, the Dubai
Autodrome is designed to
accommodate all types of
Meritus
“I know
many
people are
worried
about the
economic
crunch but
I would like
to assure
motor
racing fans
that all our
proposed
events,
such
as the
Speedcar
and GP2
Asia Series
will go
on as
planned.”
motosports events from world
class to local. This multi-purpose
complex also serves as an ideal
setting for concerts and corporate
events, whether conferences,
seminars, or motoring exhibitions.
Built to world-class standards,
the Dubai Autodrome offers
manufacturers and racing teams
a perfect location for testing,
prototype development, vehicle
demonstrations, product launches,
driver training, and hot weather
car research for international
manufacturers.
On his future plans for the
circuit, Saeed said: “Obviously,
we would love to host a Formula
One race but with Bahrain already
hosting one and another at Abu
Dhabi from 2009, the odds are
quite slim.
“That has not deterred us from
continuing to put on a grand
show for the GP2 and Speedcar
series. We are proud and happy
our region has got two Formula 1
races and we will continue to help
our neighbours to promote their
events.”

Watt-er sight
The first ever night race in
GP2 history took place at the
Losail Circuit, in Doha, Qatar, in
March and “watt” a sight it was.
Using 1/3 the capacity of sunlight,
some drivers commented it was
as clear as
day.
The 5.380km track with 10
right turns and six left, made it a
challenging event for the drivers,
none of whom raced there before.
My Qi Meritus.Mahara, had
mixed success in their first ever
GP2 Asia night races. Though
they failed to finish in the points,
despite setting the fastest lap in
the main race, the sight of 5,000
QuestNet fans illuminating the
grand stand put a smile on the
faces of every Meritus team
member.
As a team, My Qi-
Meritus.Mahara represent
a unique link between two
worlds: an all-Asian world with
a team based in Malaysia that
is virtually the Ambassador of
Asian Motorsport abroad; and the
Middle Eastern world through
their Saudi partner, chairman of
the Team, Raad S. Abduljawad.
Team founder, Peter
Thompson said: QuestNet used
the inaugural Doha GP2 event to
promote their expanding network
in Doha by inviting 5,000 fans
who cheered enthusiastically for
the team for two nights in a row
from the grandstands.
“The QuestNet fans were
so supportive of the team and
I want to thank each of them
≠ they have been amazing. My
Qi-Meritus.Mahara have gained
not only fans but real life-long
friends in Qatar through the
Meritus
QuestNet fans.
“The Qatar Motor and
Motorcycling Federation
(QMMF), were very supportive
when the team brought the car
to QMMF headquarters and
explained the weekend in a
press conference attended by the
key Qatar media. These events
help to educate the media and
motorsport fans about Qi.Meritus
Mahara and its GP2 Asia team.
QMMF president Nasser
Khalifa Al Attiya said he was
proud to Qatar have hosted the
first ever GP2 Asia night race and
hopes they can grow even bigger
in the future.
“Obviously, we aim to host
Formula 1 races but it may be
difficult as Bahrain already have a
race,“ he said.
“Our track was built mainly for
motorcycles and the MotoGP and
we hosted the first ever MotoGP
night race last year.
“Since then, we have continued
to make improvements and we
have been hosting several major
car championships such as the
GP2 and Speed Car series. We are
learning as an organisation and
we hope to eventually reach the
pinnacle of motorsports.”
Track Record 2009 37
 Meritus DRIVER

38 Track Record 2009

Meritus DRIVER

Track Record 2009 39

 Dark, dynamic and dangerously
handsome, the Chrono Compressor
is a hero amongst the racing watches
of Bernhard H. Mayer ®
Chrono Compressor
Racing Ahead

Precision chronograph capabilities have been captured within the

race-leading masterpiece of timekeeping. The watch lends itself to the
active sportsman while remaining stylish enough to be sported on the
wrist of any self-respecting social high-flyer.

The dominating black dial is peppered with white, making it reminiscent

of the iconic chequered race flag and allowing for the large, luminous
hands to be complemented by the prevailing date digits.

>> Dashboard motif dial design

>> Raised hour markers and chequered pattern
>> Minute counter
>> Speed counter
>> Center stop second
>> Big date window
>> Large watch case

Chronograph | Big date window |

Sapphire crystal with antireflective coating |
Stainless steel | Black croco-print leather strap |
Swiss Quartz – Ronda | 40 mm

40 Track Record 2009