Sainz Junior takes victory in Asia. 15.05.2010: Formula BMW Pacific - Round 4 Sepang Malaysia Formula BMW Junior Carlos Sainz Junior (ESP/15/Eurointernational) took his first victory in Asia – and his first Formula BMW win - today with a perfect pole-to-flag run in Round 4 at Malaysia’s Sepang In

Formula BMW Pacific - Round 4  Sepang Malaysia

Formula BMW Junior Carlos Sainz Junior (ESP/15/Eurointernational) took his first victory in Asia – and his first Formula BMW win - today with a perfect pole-to-flag run in Round 4 at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.  Making a clean sweep of the podium for the Eurointernational outfit, Sainz Jr.’s team mates Daniil Kvyat (RUS/16) and Michael Lewis (USA/19) crossed the line 2nd and 3rd, respectively, after a race-long battle.

Top-finishing Formula BMW Pacific Junior and Rookie Cup winner was Jordan Oon (AUS/20/E-Rain Racing), 4th overall.  With the top three all guest drivers, Oon takes full points for the win.  Japan’s Kotaro Sakurai (15/Eurasia Motorsport), who had been penalized five grid positions after Round 3, recovered well to cross the line 5th.  However, a technical infringement by the team, who had worked frantically to repair his car in time for him to take the grid for Round 4, saw him disqualified after the race.

Despite his run of bad luck, Richard Bradley (SIN/18/Eurasia Motorsport) retains his lead in the Driver Classification and Rookie Cup standings, but Dustin Sofyan (INA/15/Meritus) climbs to second, 12 points behind. James Birch (GBR/17/Motaworld Racing) moves to 3rd overall, and 2nd in the Rookie Cup.

Sainz Jr. got away well from pole followed by Lewis and Bradley, who had crashed out of the earlier race after a coming together with the American.  The Singapore racer was unlucky again when a racing incident involving James Birch (GBR/17/Motaworld Racing) dropped him right back down the field.  Despite a manful recovery, Bradley only managed to climb back up to 9th by the flag. Birch was later handed a 10-place grid penalty for the start of Round 5 as a result of that incident.

The Eurointernational trio took charge, with Sainz Jr. increasing his lead to more than two seconds by the flag, and Kvyat losing his position to Lewis only briefly mid-way through the 10 lap race.

Formula BMW Pacific continues tomorrow (Sunday) with Rounds 5 & 6.


Formula BMW Pacific Driver Quotes:

Carlos Sainz Junior, winner, Round 4: “In the first race I had a little bit of bad luck (an incident with Sakurai which finished his race), so all I wanted to do was win.  Maybe it was a plus in concentration and determination.  Starting from pole, I was very confident.  I just kept my pace and kept looking in the mirrors in the beginning.  The heat was an issue for everyone, especially us drivers from Europe and the USA who aren’t used to it, but not enough of a problem to keep us off the podium.  We know we are fastest and so we have self confidence.”

Daniil Kvyat, 2nd, Round 4: “I started from 4th, and had a very good start.  I was up to 3rd by the first turn, and then 2nd.  I was catching Carlos and then made a small mistake and Michael caught me.  During the last laps, we were all doing the same times.  The team has made a perfect job.”

Michael Lewis, 3rd, Round 4: “For me the race was quite OK.  I had a good start but lost 2nd place quite quickly.  I had a bit of a battle with Daniil, and then we tried to chase Carlos.  We were all virtually the same (pace), so if one of us making a mistake would have been the only chance.  We’re all friendly (about the competition within the team), and collaborate well to try and make the cars faster.”

Jordan Oon, winner, Rookie Cup, Round 4: “It could have been better, and of course I was hoping I could have been in the top three, but it’s my best finish so far.  I get to take all the points and so I can’t complain.”

- Nikki Kemp, HongKong -   photo BMW