Professional Documents
Culture Documents
‘Creating International
Motorsport Heroes’
6-9 10-11
Contents
18-19
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.
M
y Qi Meritus. commitments. season’s GP2 Asia Series from and the managing director of
Mahara team Parente, meanwhile, replaced April 3-5. Two weeks later, Bahrain one of the top ranking Saudi
chairman Raad New Zealand’s Earl Bamber, who will host the sixth and final round. business companies, Saudi Diesel
Abduljawad is is representing his country in My Qi Meritus.Mahara Equipment Co. Ltd, a company
confident the another championship. are currently eighth in the that manufactures generators and
team’s two new drivers, Marco Despite these changes to the championship standings with sells construction equipment, fell
Bonanomi of Italy and Portugal’s line-up, Raad is optimistic the eight points. Last season, they in love with cars and motorsports
Alvaro Parente, have it in them to drivers can get on the podium finished a credible seventh, not from a young age thanks to his
end the season on a high. in the last two rounds of the bad for a team, making their father’s activities which included
Bonanomi, who has taken part championship. debut in the F1 development importing cars to Saudi Arabia.
in two GP2 Asia Series races for Based in Subang, Malaysia, series. And that too, against highly That is why, when Meritus
the Meritus team, was brought in Meritus’ headquarters is a stone’s experienced European outfits. Racing approached him two years
as a replacement for Malaysia’s throw away from the Sepang “We have two good drivers ago to be part of their GP2 Asia
Alex Yoong, who had to opt out of International Circuit (SIC) which on board with Marco and Alvaro Series project, he jumped at the
the championship due to business will host the fifth round of this providing the team with good chance to get involved with the F1
feedback,” said Raad. “I’m development championship.
delighted they are driving for us. “Historically, there is a lot of
They have helped us on the car interest in motor racing in Saudi
set-up as this is evident from our Arabia. Saudi airlines and TAG
timing in the races. are Saudi-owned companies who
“We set the fastest lap in the have invested in F1 for many years.
last round in Qatar but could not But again many factors join forces
capitalise on the times due to bad and the entire area is roaring with
luck and tyre problems. We just interest,” said Raad.
need to overcome the setbacks “The competition between the
and work on our qualifying to be Dubai Autodrome, the Bahrain GP,
among the leaders in the race.” the new Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Raad explained that the team ensures that racing is featured
are consistently evolving and almost daily in the news. Beyond
that they are serious in reaching race tracks, the development of
their targets of getting more young drivers and young Arab
podiums and being among the winners is currently in progress. It
top teams in this deliciously tight is a long process. But it all belongs
championship. together.
Bamber caused a sensation “In terms of racing events
when he was on the podium in the that bring people and race fans
season opener last October and enthusiastically together, the
Raad is confident, with more luck, situation still has to develop
that feat can be repeated soon. in Saudi Arabia. There is a
“We have ambitions of being permanent drag strip in Djeddah,
one of the major teams in GP2 which is a start. There are lots of
Asia and will work hard to achieve events very close to motocross,
this goal,” he said. but no Formula 1 or other junior
“We had one podium already Formula races yet.”
this season and we are working He is hoping his ties with
towards having more in the last Meritus founder, Peter Thompson,
two rounds.” will help fulfil this dream.
Raad, the business manager “We renewed our relationship
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
It’s this dream that took won two.” taken care of by a team, but I’m
Thompson to England in 1988 Malaysian team Director Firhat like a father to these boys. When
where he started Meritus, the Mokhzani invested in Meritus they have an argument with
racing team. After competing in the late 1990s making it a their parents they come live in
successfully in Europe for several part-Asian owned team, while my house – when they come to
years, the Irishman decided to Saudi Arabian businessman Raad Malaysia they live in my house.
expand into Asia in 1995. Abduljawad bought a stake in the “I have five children of my
“That’s when I fell in love team last year, when they took own, but sometimes I have six
with Malaysia,” said Thompson, part in the inaugural GP2 Asia more race drivers living at my
who has lived there ever since.
“I was also successful in finding
series, to give My Qi-Meritus.
Mahara a Middle East co-owner
house – which creates a family
environment for the team.”
“Motor
sponsorship money in Asia – as well. Success on the track means racing
which is essential to survive in
motor racing.
success in the bank as well and
despite recent news that Formula
is about
“Motor racing is about One are looking at new ways engineering
engineering and good drivers, to cut costs in the near future,
but if you can’t find sponsorship motorsport is still a lucrative and good
money it will never be a business
as it all revolves around the
business for Meritus.
“The GP2 season is costing
drivers, but if
sponsors. us €1.7m and we target to make you can’t find
“When we moved to Asia, I
phoned Marlboro and explained
about €2.5m – a 20 per cent return
on our investment. “Sometimes
sponsorship
my business and as they didn’t things don’t go according to plan money it will
have a team in Asia, we did a The team have a reputation for and accidents happen, but the
three-year deal in 1995. identifying and nurturing young insurance covers most of the never be a
“In 1996, we won the Formula
BMW Asia championship with
talented drivers from the region
and when the concept of a GP2
losses.
“The cost per driver is
business as it
Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan, Asia series was formulated, F1 €100,000 for Formula BMW, all revolves
who went on to race in Formula
One [in 2005 for Jordan]. In 1997,
boss Bernie Ecclestone offered
Meritus the only Asian license for
€275,000 for V6 and €650,000 for
GP2 and for that they get a third of
around the
Takuma Sato was the winner [and GP2. So, what has helped Meritus the ad rights on the car. We try to sponsors.”
he progressed to Formula One in achieve so much success? sell the ad rights at around €1.5m
2002]. “I think it’s the personality euros per car and so the company
“We are now in Asia for of the team,” said Thompson. does turn over quite a bit, but we
12 years and have won 32 “We have created a family invest a lot back into the company.
championships in that time. environment. “The success of Meritus also
I think the closest team have “Sometimes drivers are not attracts sponsors – they like
“We
introduce
them to F1
winning, they are not fools. the sponsors we are a serious teams who in his first ever GP2 race.
Sponsors want to generate more
exposure for their company. Last
company. We are a Meritus brand
now.
then take the The 18-year old New Zealander
finished sixth and second
year, we generated $35m from “We want to use the success drivers out respectively in his first two races
television for sponsors and $9m in to generate other avenues in of our Asia at the Shanghai circuit, impressing
the print media.
“Every article that gets written,
motorsport.
“I want to get into
programme racing experts. For now though,
Thompson is happy to act as a
we get professional people to manufacturing Asian race cars into F1 feeder for F1 teams.
evaluate it. Like, for example,
last season in the GP2 we had
within the next two years. Next
year I plan to launch a Meritus
development “We have development
programmes for our drivers,” said
about 350 articles written on us lifestyle clothing range. programmes Thompson.
in the print media, 100 on the “Just as Virgin got into different and there is “We introduce them to F1
internet and we generated $5m for
sponsors on TV. We also spent
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
$2.5m on advertising campaigns in as Virgin, but we want to move involved in F1 development programmes and
Asia and the Middle East.”
So what are Thompson’s plans
the brand in different directions
as well.”
buying their there is transfer a fee involved in
buying their contract from us.”
for Meritus in the future? In the future, one of those contract If they keep on winning,
“Meritus were awarded ‘super-
brand’ in Asia, and we are only the
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
81st company to get it. This shows young star Earl Bamber performed longer.
www.michelin.com
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 up but I hope to one day get the
the final race of the inaugural GP2 opportunity to race in the biggest
Asia Series last year. stage of all. I believe Meritus can
However, he has yet to get help me get there,” said Bonanomi.
any points since joining the team Bonanomi raced in karts until
earlier this season. He, however, 2001 when he moved up to both
is confident of breaking his duck Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup
soon. and Italy Italian Winter Series.
“I knew Peter Thompson (Team He continued in the Italian
founder) from the last GP2 Asia Championship with two races in
season when I was driving for Eurocup. He continued in both
another team,” said Bonanomi. series in 2002 before graduating
“This year, he approached me to to Formula 3 Italy in 2003 winning
drive for the whole championships a race and taking four podiums.
but I had other commitments in He also competed in the F3 Korea
America and Europe and was only Super Prix and the F3 Macau GP.
available to drive in January. When In 2004 he moved up to Formula
he approached me again, I jumped 3 Euroseries and competed in a
at the chance as Meritus are a couple of races of Formula 3 Italy.
successful team on and off the He continued in F3 Euroseries
track. They have a good reputation the following season and in 2006
and I knew they will help me to when he also competed in Formula
grow as a driver. 3000 Italy. He finished the season
“My target in the final two classified as runner up in Formula
rounds is to get as many points 3000 Italy (2006) and equally
as possible and try to get as many runner up in Euroseries 3000
podium positions as possible. We (2006).
are a young team but I’m confident In 2007 Bonanomi joined the
we can challenge for the points in World Series by Renault finishing
every race. on the podium twice and setting
“Sepang is really crazy. Last a fastest lap. He also competed in
year, all the drivers were stunned the International Formula Master
at the humidity as most of us were series scoring a pole position.
wet from perspiration even before Bonanomi continued in the World
the race started. For sure we need Series by Renault in 2008 and also
drink lots of water before, during joined the inaugural GP2 Asia
and after the race. Series, winning his first GP2 Asia
“I have prepared myself well race in Dubai with Piquet Sports.
and I’m looking forward to racing He was called by Audi for an
and doing well in front of our Official test on DTM car.
home fans. I want to give them Bonanomi became a My Qi-
something to celebrate when they Meritus.Mahara driver in GP2 Asia
come to cheer us on at Sepang.” as of the Bahrain round in 2009.
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
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
Parente
adds a dash
of class
H
is Latin good looks podium with Luca di Filippi. The
and racing pedigree team have a very good image. It
make Alvaro Parente was not hard for Peter Thompson
a firm favourite with and Gianfranco Bielli to convince
female racing fans. me to join such a strong team,”
In fact, during the fourth round said Parente.
of the GP2 Asia Series in Doha, “The team’s results have
a female race official remarked shaken established teams with
that Parente and his My Qi their performance. I’ll do my best
Meritus.Mahara team mate Marco to show the team, Questnet, the
Bonanomi, have made Meritus the sponsor, and the fans what I can
best looking team on the grid! do. I hope that my experience in
While Parente may enjoy GP2 and A1 Grand Prix will help.”
the attention, he only has a one A close friend of Manchester
track mind when he is behind United winger Cristiano
the wheel, and that is to get the Ronaldo, Parente is obviously a
chequered flag. big football fan and even did an
He made a stunning start to advertisement with the world
his GP2 career in the opening player of the year. He also enjoys finish in Malaysia.” 11 wins along the way. The
round of last season at the Circuit tennis and said both those sports Parente started competitive performance earned him a chance
de Catalunya, Parente won the helped him keep in shape during racing in karts in 1994 when he to represent his country in the
feature race making him the first the off season. was just 10, winning national newly launched A1 Grand Prix
Portuguese driver to win in GP2 “I stayed fit by doing lots of championships along the way. His Series.
Series. sports tennis, football without first major success came in 1998 In 2006 Parente joined the
There, Parente led from start hurting myself – going to the gym. when he won the European Junior World Series by Renault and took
to finish, to claim victory ahead of Sports takes a lot of time in a Karting Championship. his first win in only his fifth race.
Brazilian Bruno Senna and UAE’s day,” he said. He continued to impress and He became the series champion a
Andreas Zuber. He eventually “Mentally I just stay relaxed by 2001, at the age of 16 joined the year later with two race wins, and
finished eighth in the drivers’ and focused on the approach Spanish F3 Championship and the five podium finishes.
championship. to a race. I try to imagine and year after finished fourth overall. As a prize for winning the
While chalking up points for concentrate on the next track. In 2003 he joined the F3 World Series, Parente tested for
his previous team, he noticed the “I have raced in Sepang before Euroseries as his career really the Renault F1 team in 2008 and
all-red My Qi Meritus.Mahara so I know what to expect. I’m began to flourish. He also joined the GP2 series winning the
cars in the GP2 Asia Series. determined to make it a grand competed in Italian Formula 3 opening round of the season.
“I heard about the team time for our fans. I have tasted and British Formula 3, where he Parente became a My Qi-
last season and followed the victory in GP2 before and who continued in 2004 and ended Meritus.Mahara driver in GP2
championship and watched them. knows, with a little bit of luck, we up winning the competitive Asia as of the Doha round
I can remember the Indonesia could be celebrating a podium championship in 2005 taking in 2009.
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
Life’s no
carvinal for Rio
Rio Haryanto is facing the great car and a good driver but as
biggest challenge of his young we all know, we can’t take anything
career. Just 16, the Indonesia lad for granted in racing.
will spearhead Meritus’ challenge “We must continue working
in this year’s Formula BMW hard as anything can happen
Pacific. during qualifying and we must be
Meritus have dominated the on the look out to ensure we get
Formula BMW for the last six everything right on race weekend.”
years, easily taking the team title Team founder and president,
with a combination of hard work, Peter Thompson said: “Rio’s older
talent and most important of all, brother, Roy, raced for us 12 years
great team effort. ago and he was the one who put us
Meritus drivers like Narain in touch with Rio.
Kartikeyan, Takuma Sato, Earl Rio Haryanto, “Rio has taken to the Formula
Bamber, Jazeman Jaafar and Ross Indonesian Sports BMW like a duck to water. He has
Jamison have all won the Formula Minister Adhyaksa been brilliant in all our testing and
BMW drivers’ title and this could Dault and Peter has consistently topped the times.
be the year for Rio to join the elite Thompson. “There is a lot of pressure on his
list of winners. young shoulders but I’m sure Rio
Rio, who began his racing has what it takes to continue our
career with karts when he was only Adhyaksa Dault. have succeeded in F1, but I will do winning tradition.
six-years-old, said he is delighted “It is going to be a long hard my best to get to the highest level “I have been very impressed
to make the step up to single- season and getting used to the possible in motorsports,” added with his times as he has been about
seater racing. extra speed in Formula BMW will Rio, who idolises the late Ayrton half a second quicker than all his
“Everyone knows about Meritus be the toughest challenge. This Senna. rivals during testing. This augurs
and their winning tradition. My will be my first major test on the Rio certainly has the right will for the coming season which
elder brother, Roy, drove for them road to fulfilling my dream of credentials as he was the quickest begins in Malaysia next month.”
several years ago and I’m glad to eventually becoming a Formula 1 driver in the final two rounds of of If Rio lives up to his potential,
follow in his footsteps,” said Rio, driver. pre-season testing in March. then there will be a carnival in
who has received the backing “I know that may seem like an Team owner-cum-manager his hometown big enough to rival
of Indonesian Sports Minister impossible task as not many Asians Firhat Mokhzani said: “”We have a anything found Brazil.
Dustin wants to be
new Schumacher
Dustin Sofyan has big little more but that will come with
dreams. And that is to follow in more races under his belt.
the footsteps of the great Michael “It is never easy making the
Schumacher. step up to single-seaters but
The 14-year-old Indonesian has Dustin has the right attitude to
certainly come to the right place succeed.”
to learn his race craft as he will be Team founder, Peter
driving for Meritus Racing in this Thompson, said: “We waited 12
season’s Formula BMW Pacific. years to get another Indonesian
Meritus are Asia’s most driver and suddenly, two gems
successful motorsports team, come along.
having won 32 international titles “It just goes to show how much
in the past 12 years. talent there really is in South East
Six of those titles have come Asia.”
from consecutive Formula BMW
team crowns while the likes of FORMULA BMW PACIFIC
Narain Kartikeyan, Takuma Sato, CALENDAR
Earl Bamber, Jazeman Jaafar and Round 1 Malaysia
Ross Jamison have taken the (April 3-5, 2 races)
Formula BMW drivers’ title. Round 2 Malaysia
Such exalted company does hero, Michael Schumacher, and my dream for a long time and I (May 22-24, 4 races)
not fazed Dustin, who said he race in Formula 1 one day but I hope to achieve it.”
can’t wait for the flag off for this know it won’t be easy. I’m still Team owner-cum-manager Round 3 Indonesia
season’s championship. trying to get a good education as Firhat Mokhzani said he has been (July 17-19, 4 races)
“I’m delighted Meritus have put a back-up. It is not easy juggling pleasantly surprised by Dustin. Round 4 Singapore
me in their car for this season’s both but I feel it is important for “He may be 14, but he has a (Sept 25-27, 2 races)
Formula BMW. It will be a big me to have a back-up plan. matured head on his shoulders,” Round 5 Japan
challenge but I’m looking forward “I’m looking at driving for Team said Firhat. (Oct 30-Nov 1, 2 races)
to it,” said Dustin, who is also into Indonesian in A1 in five years time “We have been quite pleased
water sports. and then moving on to F1. I don’t with his attitude during our recent Round 6 Macau
“I would love to emulate my know if I can do it, but it has been tests. He just needs to stay focus a (Nov 20-22, 1 race)
season for
(The Pizza
Company Qi-Meritus,
Thailand) 133
2. Earl Bamber
Meritus
(The Pizza
Company Qi-Meritus,
New Zealand) 105
3. Isaiah-Ro Charlez
(Black Tara,
Australia) 85
4. Mark Williamson
SUCCESS and Meritus go the setup, but for the conditions it podium finish in the sprint event. (Team TARADTM,
hand-in-hand. In a year when there was a bit difficult to choose what In doing so, Bamber, 18, became Australia) 79
were many new champions in to do. Then it started pouring right the youngest ever driver to finish 5. Hafiz Koh
most motor racing categories, be before the start. That was not what inside the top three of a GP2 race. (Team TARADTN,
it on two wheels or four, around we needed because it was drying Bamber has continued to Singapore) 77
the world, the Meritus brand has up two to three hours before the impress in other series as well.
continued to prosper in Asia race so we thought it would keep He was on the podium in his Team standings (Top five)
Five Asian titles this season and drying up, so when it rained it first three A1 GP races for his 1. The Pizza Company
Team Qi-Meritus 235
accolades like being the only 81st made the car difficult to drive. It home country while he has
2. Team TARADTM 156
company to be awarded ‘Super was a gamble that didn’t pay off. also competed in International 3. Black Tara 142
brand’ status in Asia, make Meritus “I’m happy with the way the Formula Master, Formula Master 4. Champ Motorsport 91
the team all drivers dream of weekend went. Three out of four is Italy, the Australian Formula 3 5. E-Rain Racing 67
joining. not too bad and being the Formula Championship, Formula V6 Asia
James Grunwell delivered the V6 Asia Champion is good to have and Toyota Racing Series New Formula
latest titles to the Malaysian-based on your resume because a lot of Zealand.
team when he was crowned good drivers have come out of this Yoong had a mixed start to his
BMW Pacific
champion in the Formula V6 Asia Series” said Grunwell. season but it was understandable Driver standings (Top five)
in Shanghai, China. Meritus, who have dominated as he had been out of racing for 1. Ross Jamison
The British driver, who was the Formula BMW Pacific for the most of the year. With more time (Meritus,
born in Holland but races out of last six years, made it another racing and several test drives in Hong Kong) 222
Thailand, won three of the last clean sweep this season when other series like Speedcar, the 2. Sean McDonagh
four races of the Formula V6 Asian Ross Jamison clinched the drivers’ Malaysian is expected to be among (E-Rain,
season to pip The Pizza Company title with 222 points. Simon Moss those challenging for the race lead South Korea) 173
Team Qi-Meritus team mate took the rookie driver of the year from now on. 3. Simon Moss
Bamber to the title. award with 132 points to finish “We have the right combination (Meritus,
Grunwell finished with 133 third overall. In the team category, of youth and experience for the Hong Kong) 132
points, while Bamber ended with Meritus collected 378 points, a GP2 team,” said team founder, 4. Gabriel Chaves
105 despite not competing in the massive 99 points ahead of their Peter Thompson. (Atlantic Racing Team,
last four races. The Pizza Company closest rivals. “Alex and Earl know each Colombia) 130
Team Qi-Meritus also took the The focus is now on the GP2 other so well and in fact, Alex 5. Ryuichi Nara
team championship with 235 Asia series with sensational was Earl’s first ever driver coach. (E-Rain, Japan) 112
points, 79 more than their rivals. young driver, Earl Bamber of They work well together and are Team standings (Top five)
These two championships were New Zealand and Malaysia’s only determined to help us to the team 1. Meritus 378
the 31st and 32nd that the Meritus Formula 1 pilot Alex Yoong leading championship. 2. E-Rain 279
team have won in 12 years. the way for My Qi-Meritus.Mahara. “I’m actually quite excited to be 3. Team Holzer PFX 218
4. Eurasia Motorsport 143
“It feels good to win the In the team’s first outing of the back in Dubai. We have a special
5. Mahara 137
Championship but I am new season in China in October, relationship with the people here
disappointed at the way the last Bamber earned points in both the and the support we get from the Rookie-of-the-Year
race went. We went one way with sprint and main races, including a fans is phenomenal.” Simon Moss
(Meritus, Hong Kong)
Zooming in
SINCE the successful conclusion Grand Prix Circuit’ in 1999. With vast media coverage of
of the 10th Petronas Formula Since then, we now have the motorsport events, brand visibility
One (F1) Malaysian Grand Chinese Grand Prix, the Bahrain is foremost on Thompson’s mind
Prix at Sepang International Grand Prix and within two years, when he talks passionately about
Circuit (SIC), it has been said will have two more regional Grand the benefits that Meritus offers to
that Malaysia will see a boom Prix in Abu Dhabi and India. corporate Malaysia, in terms of
in the development of the local Asian motorsport is well on its advertising dollars.
motorsport industry. Malaysian- way to equalling the values of its In Malaysia, within a span
owned Meritus Team Founder European counterparts. of five months from July to
and President Peter Thompson Thompson says within the November last year, Meritus
explains why he is upbeat about past decade, China has built had accumulated a total of 146
the industry in this part of the six circuits, with each of these articles, with a regional total of
world. facilities hosting national and 485 generating over US$9 million
Motorsport is big business in international events annually. of print media advertising value.
Europe and the United States, but Since the inaugural Bahrain Grand ‘With each article, there is brand
in Asia, the multi-billion-dollar Prix, we have seen the growth of visibility coming across from the
industry only started to take motorsport in the Middle East, pages of the print and electronic
shape 10 years ago. With the rapid which now has five motorsport media,’ he says.
development of the automotive facilities. “The next big icon is Malaysia’s
industry, experts say it could be “The momentum of the very own 15-year-old Jazeman
the next big thing in Asia, with motorsport industry has already Jaafar - possibly the youngest
a money-churning potential started with many young Asian - who came first in the 2007
currently only in the region of motorsport careers already on Formula BMW Asia with Meritus,”
US$ 20-US$ 30 million for the track to F1,’ he enthuses, pointing he says. “By comparison, the cost
In Malaysia, provision of race engineering and out that Singapore is also forging of training someone like Jazeman
within a span championship management.
In Malaysia, analysts put
ahead with its own Grand Prix in
2008 and is set to beat the world-
in Asia would cost a family
US$200,000 in Asia, whereas
of five months the figure of national benefits famous Monaco GP as the location in Europe, it could be twice the
from July to generated at RM727.6 million for corporate entertainment and figure. Yet, with the emergence
November over the past 10 years since the product promotions. of world- class racers like the
last year, inaugural Grand Prix was held in In England, Thompson says, the teenaged Jazeman, it clearly
Meritus had Sepang in 1998, while the tourism
spin-off from this major sporting
industry is estimated to be worth
something like US$2 billion a year.
proves that the quality of training
in Asia or Europe is no different,
accumulated event was estimated at RM1 billion “These figures include the and Jazeman has proved this is
a total of 146 annually. manufacturing of the majority of true with his fifth place finish from
articles, with According to Thompson, the world’s racing cars supplying 29 starters in his first European
a regional the founder of Meritus - the thousands of motorsport event last week.
total of 485 leading multi- dimensional sports
marketing and race engineering
championships taking place
weekly on many hundreds of
“It is a lot cheaper to train
the racers in Asia, because of
generating over services company based in Kuala circuits across Europe, whereas the lower cost structure, and
US$9 million Lumpur - when he first set up in Asia at the moment, there are Jazeman’s success in Europe will
of print media his company 12 years ago, Asian only a handful of championships promote the benefits of Asian
advertising motorsport was not on the radar annually,” he adds. motorsport to young Europeans
value. ‘With screens of Europe. Ten years later,
after Malaysia’s very own F1 SIC
With the industry linked to
tourism and advertising budgets,
looking for a more cost-effective
route to hone their racecraft for
each article, was completed, Singapore’s former Thompson says he has every F1.”
there is brand Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, reason to be upbeat about the The estimated cost to bring
visibility coming regretted that he had overlooked industry’s potential growth in the racer through from Karting
across from the potential of the industry. Asia, and Malaysian corporations to F1 is around US$7 million to
the pages of SIC, covering a 5.542-km racing
track, is said to be one of the best
should take advantage of
motorsport sponsorship as an
US$8 million. These costs are for
the provision of race engineering
the print and in the world. The first country in efficient promotional medium for services from teams like Meritus.
electronic Asia to host Southeast Asia’s first their products to reach a global
media.’ F1 event, Malaysia won F1’s `Best audience. Malaysian Business
Surging Ahead,
F1 STATS
• Sepang International
Circuit (SIC) will introduce
Blazing Forward
a new trophy for the 2009
Malaysian Grand Prix from
April 3-5. (ada pix attached)
• Renault’s double world
champion Fernando Alonso
P
has 21 Grand Prix wins, more
than any other current driver.
riding itself with a and Malaysia’s motorsport as a changes and that is what I had Ferrari’s 2007 champion
new logo; armed with whole to a new level. made and would be making in Kimi Raikkonen has 17 and
renewed spirit and Driven by a motto – alive with SIC – changes for the better of Brazilian team mate Felipe
recharged enthusiasm, ambition; and the belief that the organisation,” said Razlan, Massa 11. Lewis Hamilton has
Sepang International together, as a team, SIC can bring who revamped the existing work nine.
Circuit (SIC) is embarking on a these ambitions to life, Razlan, organisation and introduced
new beginning as it moves into who officially took office on a leading team of six chiefs –
marketing, technical, finance,
• The winner of the
Australian Grand Prix has
its second decade of operations. October 5, last year, immediately
Declaring themselves as the brought in a few new hands and corporate and support services, gone on to be champion in
all-new SIC team and a rechanged young minds, which he hoped corporate communications and eight of the last 11 years and
team under the leadership of a would supplement the experience events. the last three seasons in a
young Chief Executive Officer of the existing team. “With injection of fresh row.
(CEO) Ahmad Razlan Ahmad
Razali, SIC aims to take the circuit
“To move forward, SIC needs
to evolve. SIC needs to undergo
ideas from the new recruits
and supported by the massive • Switzerland’s Sebastien
Buemi, in a Toro Rosso, is the
experience from the existing team, only driver to make his debut
SIC will be even greater. The this season.
circuit has gone through 10 years
of success and the time has come • Brawn GP, replacing Honda,
are making their debut as a
to build on bigger success with a
new identity. team.
“Let’s not turn back and look
at the past. Instead, we need to
• Germany, with five, have
more drivers than any other
look forward to take SIC to a new nation. Brazil are next with
level,” he said, adding that changes three.
were necessary to move forward
and that each and every individual • Toyota’s Italian Jarno Trulli
started his 200th race in
at the company would need to
accept changes to be better. Australia
“We need to get out of the box.
We need to implement new and F1 CALENDAR
vibrant ideas. We simply need to 01 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
change to be better,” said Razlan, (Melbourne) March 27-29
who is known for his deep love 02 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX
for motorsports; having spent (Kuala Lumpur) April 3-5
many years building the highly 03 CHINESE GRAND PRIX
successful Pineapple Motorsports (Shanghai) April 17-19
04 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
Racing Team. (Sakhir) April 24-26
“The 2009 Formula One 05 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA
Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix (Catalunya) May 8-10
will not just be a race. It’s a 06 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2009
show – a showcase of the world’s (Monte Carlo) May 21-24
best racing drivers in the world’s 07 TURKISH GRAND PRIX
fastest cars; and a world class (Istanbul) June 5-7
08 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
performance of a world-renowned (Silverstone) June 19-21
international icon – Jamiroquai. 09 GROSSER PREIS VON
And; above all that, there’s plenty DEUTSCHLAND 2009
more packages of excitement (Nürburgring) July 10-12
during that race weekend. 10 MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2009
“Indeed, it’s going to be an (Budapest) July 24-26
11 GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE
event that no Malaysian should (Valencia) Aug 21-23
miss. We are offering the cheapest 12 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
F1 ticket as compared to all the (Spa-Francorchamps) Aug 28-30
other F1 venues; and we are even 13 GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2009
giving special discount packages (Monza) Sept 11-13
for school children and college 14 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
students. Friday is open for free (Singapore) Sept 25-27
15 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
for all; and children under-12 are (Suzuka) Oct 2-4
also allowed in for free at the open 16 GRANDE PREMIO DO BRASIL
hillstands for all three days to see (Sao Paulo) Oct 16-18
this world class race.” 17 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
(Yas Marina Circuit) Oct 30-Nov 1
Qi invests
Qi, which
big in Meritus
also began in
H
1998, with its ONG Kong-based
group Qi Ltd, which
sense when adopted as a
mainstream marketing activity.
Qi- Meritus shirts up on the stand
during the GP2 Asia race recently
headquarters boasts a market base
of over three million
Speaking to Malaysian
Business, Qi Ltd’s Director of
was already a great feeling.
“It was like a family day
in Hong independent representatives and Investment Management Kuna environment, where our
Kong and an retail customers in both Asia
and the Middle East, has injected
Senathirajah says most part of the
RM10 million spent in the past two
customers were able to interact
with the Meritus team we had
operations a total of RM10 million into
sponsorship of Meritus racers over
years has gone into sponsorships
and other forms of hospitality and
sponsored,” he elaborates.
“Qi has its own brand image
office in the past two years.
The synergy which began
public relations programmes in
Asia and the Middle East.
and its core values. As part of
our brand development, we have
Malaysia, between Qi and Meritus since the
last leg of Formula V6 in Zhuhai,
Has Qi discovered a creative
way of marketing that has long
chosen to sponsor the motorsports
on a long-term approach to
today enjoys China in 2006 has brought so been discovered by avid sponsors project Qi’s image as a dynamic
an annual many mutual benefits for both
sponsor and racer team that,
of Formula One and other Grand
Prix in Europe and the United
multinational conglomerate that
is always spearheading into new
turnover within the next five years, Qi
expects to pump in an average
States?
A convinced Kuna believes
territories. Five years ago, we
would never have thought of
of US$500 of between RM5 million to RM7
million a year, depending on the
that Qi has achieved its ultimate
objective as Meritus’ Golden Title
motorsports, but since it is capable
of reaching our market segment,
million economic condition, in its quest to
promote motorsports in Malaysia.
Sponsor.
“As a matter of fact, we notice
we decided to give it a shot.”
It is well noted that 10 years
(RM1.55 Call this patriotism, but if its a correlation between our after Malaysia’s very own
billion) in involvement in motorsports is
capable of generating goodwill,
annual sales turnover and Qi’s
involvement in the motorsports
Formula One Sepang Circuit was
completed and the first Petronas
e-commerce boosting sales and reinforcing
Qi’s brand image, the sponsorship
since two years ago,’ he enthuses.
Just seeing 5,000 of its
Formula One was held in 1999,
a year construction began,
business. definitely makes good business customers in Doha wearing the even Singapore has asked to be
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
included in the Formula One race network of representative offices and
circuit recently. Its former Prime associate companies in Malaysia, Singapore,
Minister, Lee Kuan Yew regretted Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, South
that he had overlooked the Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates,
potential of the industry. India and Brazil. Find out more at <http://www.
Qi, which also began in 1998, quest.net/>www.quest.net.
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 About The V
some 160 countries around the V Global Management Sdn Bhd (The V) is
world. an international marketing, training events,
“The nature of our business network management and development
and our long-term strategy is to company focused on providing quality training
focus on the creation of world- “We share the to a growing number of global entrepreneurs.
class champions,’ quips Kuna.
“We share the Meritus vision to
Meritus vision to The V is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia with offices and V Training Centres
develop young talents who will develop young (VTCs) in Philippines, India and Canada. Its
hopefully someday emerge as
world champions.”
talents who will subsidiaries include V-Studios (Production
Company), GITA (Training Academy) and PR
For that, Qi has achieved its hopefully someday WorldWide Live (Events Company). The V is
ultimate business objective as a
major title sponsor.
emerge as world a member of the QI Group of Companies. For
more information, please visit <http://www.
- Malaysian Business champions.” the-v.net/>www.the-v.net.
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 between motorsports and
team’s debut season in the GP2 Asia network marketing. Both career
last year? paths require discipline, passion,
Steffen: I think it was a bold goal-setting, and an overall
step given the fact that it was our commitment to success. It’s
first foray in the GP2 Asia series. that winning attitude that has
I am extremely proud that we brought QuestNet as well as My
were and still are the only truly Qi-Meritus.Mahara to where we
Asian team who had a relatively are today.
good performance in their rookie We have also found that our
season. IRs really feed off the excitement
I am proud of My Qi-Meritus. connected to motorsports,
Mahara who put together an especially in Malaysia and the
experienced and accomplished Middle East. This ultimately
team that will surely produce translates into another way to
quality results a second time motivate our IRs to perform at
around. They have a winning their highest level.
history with Formula BMW and
Formula V6, especially in the TR: What has been the single
rookie championships, so now its biggest impact of being involved in
time to take what they’ve learned motorsports?
and apply it to winning the GP2 Steffen: Performance. You
Asia series championship. really see the passion and
enthusiasm on the faces of our
TR: What are the improvements IRs while attending the race
that you expect to see in the team in events. We have seen positive
the new season? results following race weekends
Steffen: Seeing as this is the where our IRs have switched
second time the My Qi-Meritus. into a higher gear, ultimately
Mahara team will work together, enhancing their performance in
I think you will see the chemistry the business. Motorsports is by far
and synergy that developed during the ideal platform to inspire our
the first season. I believe this will representatives.
be the defining moment where
My Qi-Meritus.Mahara makes a TR: What’s the next step for the
name for itself, ultimately bringing company and how is it handling the
Malaysia, their home country, to global credit crunch?
the world. Steffen: During these difficult
Earl Bamber made us proud times, there is no other better
when he became the youngest business that can survive and
ever driver to have a podium finish weather the storm than network
in GP2 history when he clinched marketing. QuestNet provides
runners-up in the sprint race in people with an alternative to a
China in October. traditional business. Think about
Bearing in mind, it was his only it, millions could potentially
his second ever GP2 race,it was lose their jobs and most will find
certainly a great achievement. network marketing to be their
silver lining.
TR: Why did the company decide to It’s also good to note that
get involved in motorsportsand how QuestNet started in 1998 when
has it gained? the economy in Asia was also
Steffen: QuestNet, Qi’s flagship very bleak, and look where we are
company, serves over 4 million today. We operate on the basic
network marketing Independent principle of enabling people to
Representatives (IR) worldwide realise their dreams and that’s
and we believe a parallel exists what keep us going.
“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.”
Dubai Autodrome
in safe hands
The economic crunch may motosports events from world
be hitting people’s wallets around class to local. This multi-purpose
the world, but the chairman of complex also serves as an ideal
the Dubai Autodrome is confident setting for concerts and corporate
his circuit will continue to grow events, whether conferences,
and host many more major racing seminars, or motoring exhibitions.
events. Built to world-class standards,
Saeed Khalfan, who has been the Dubai Autodrome offers
working tirelessly to promote manufacturers and racing teams
motor racing in the Middles a perfect location for testing,
East, said everything is in place we hope to continue doing our bit prototype development, vehicle
financially, for Dubai Autodrome for motor racing.” demonstrations, product launches,
to continue to shine as a beacon For the record, the Dubai driver training, and hot weather
for motorsports enthusiasts in the Autodrome was the region’s first car research for international
Middle East. fully integrated motorsports manufacturers.
“I know many people are facility. The complex, a part On his future plans for the
worried about the economic of the Union Properties circuit, Saeed said: “Obviously,
crunch but I would like to assure Motorcity development, not we would love to host a Formula
motor racing fans that all our only includes an FIA sanctioned One race but with Bahrain already
proposed events, such as the 5.39km circuit, which offers six hosting one and another at Abu
Speedcar and GP2 Asia Series will different configurations, but also Dhabi from 2009, the odds are
go on as planned,” he said. incorporates a Race & Driving quite slim.
“Our academy is also doing a school and a CIK approved “That has not deterred us from
good job. Our aim is to help make Karting track. continuing to put on a grand
motorsports the most popular Officially inaugurated in show for the GP2 and Speedcar
sporting event in the Middle October 2004 when it hosted series. We are proud and happy
East. We have also been helped the final round of the FIA GT our region has got two Formula 1
by the decision to hold Formula Championship, the Dubai races and we will continue to help
One races in Bahrain. We have Autodrome is designed to our neighbours to promote their
benefited from the publicity and accommodate all types of events.”
Watt-er sight