Malaysia's Questnet Team Qi Meritus focused on Singapore 18.08.2009: Malaysia and Asia's most successful motorsports team, Questnet Team Qi Mertius, are working hard on their preparation to ensure that Rio Haryanto maintains his current winning form in Singapore, the host for the next round

Malaysia and Asia's most successful motorsports team, Questnet Team Qi Mertius, are working hard on their preparation to ensure that Rio Haryanto maintains his current winning form in Singapore, the host for the next round of Formula BMW Pacific which supports the worlds only F1 night race on the Marina Island street circuit next month.

Rio Haryanto (front) and Dustin Sofyan in their Formula BMW Pacific cars

Meritus are confident that the have a good set up as they won both rounds of the 2008 Formula BMW Pacific supporting the first Singapore Formula 1 Grand  Prix last year. The Malaysian outfit are currently on a high after their phenomenal success at Indonesia's Sentul Circuit last weekend where they won all four formula BMW Pacific races.

The historic four poles, four wins and four fastest laps in Sentul, which saw 16-year-old Rio Haryanto became the first driver ever to win four formula BMW Pacific races in one weekend, means Meritus now lead the team championship with 239.5 points. South Korea's E-Rain Team are second with 216.13 points. Rio tops the drivers’ competition event with 146 points, followed by E-Rain's Gary Thompson (134) and Eurasia's Axcil Jefferries (124).

Meritus have dominated Asian motorsport for the past 13 years, winning 32 titles along the way, including the last six Formula BMW Pacific team crowns  and team manager Firhat Mokhzani is confident they can continue their winning ways this season.

Team boss Firhat Mokhzani (left), Rio (centre) and Dustin.


"No team have recorded 32 titles in such a short period. This shows a great deal of hard work and commitment but without support from sponsors such as Qi and Questnet we would not be able to achieve these wonderful results," Firhat said upon arrival from Indonesia.

On the team's plans for the Singapore race, Firhat said: "We are delighted to be going to the Singapore as the leaders on the championship. We won first and  second places in both BMW races in Singapore last year and we have excellent data on the Marina circuit. Meritus were the first team to ever record a  victory on the island's F1 track when we won there last year.

"The circuit has had some upgrades and corner changes but it will be the same for everyone. We are using our Sepang based Formula BMW Pacific test and development team to keep the driver focused. Rio and Dustin (Sofyan) still have a number of unofficial test days still available in order to prove our street
race set up.

A QUIET WORD: Rio (left) and Dustin discuss how their day went

"I hope Rio will continue his good form and rhe old adaged "when a drivers learns to win, he finds the next win easy" rings true for Rio. Dustin, 14, has certainly improved his racecraft by leaps and bounds. While we need to focus on improving his qualifying pace, his racing mode is inspiring as  was the case on Sunday when he came from 10th to finish fourth.

"We have an intensive eight day test programme set out to develop his qualifying pace before we head to Singapore as its important that both drivers do well as their combined points count towards the team championship.

"We have five more races and 100 point are still up for grabs for one of the current top three drivers to take the 2009 championship title and I'm confident that both Dustin and Rio will be challenging for podium finishes."

Look out Singapore, Meritus are coming your way.



- by Agnes Carlier  - photos Qi Meritus