Meritus driver Rio clinches Formula BMW Pacific overall crown

PETALING JAYA: Rio Haryanto of Questnet Team Qi-Meritus was crowned the Formula BMW Pacific champion after the young Indone­sian finished second in Round 14 at the Oka­­ya­­­­­ma International Circuit in Japan yesterday.

Guest driver Facu Regalia of Eurointernational took a second consecutive lights-to-flag victory, finishing 21.681 seconds ahead of Haryanto and Australian James Kovacic in a wet 12-lap race.

The 2009 Formula BMW Pacific team championship was also decided with Questnet Team Qi-Meritus taking the honours as well.

With guest drivers not eligible to score points, Haryanto clinched the driver’s title by earning maximum points in each of the last nine races.

“I’m very happy. It has been a very long season, a very tough season and to win is just fantastic,” he said.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I would earn maximum points for nine straight races. But after Sepang and winning four races in Indonesia, I just kept going.”

Meanwhile, Meritus team drivers Luca Filippi and Diego Nunes finished eighth and 13th respectively in Round 2 of the GP2 Asia held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

RESULTS

Round 14: 1. Facu Regalia (Spa) Eurointernational 25:35.145, 2. Rio Haryanto (Ina) Questnet Qi-Meritus 21.681 seconds behind, 3. James Kovacic (Usa) Eurointernational 33.478, 4. Calvin Wong (Mas) Holzer PFX 34.743, 5. Fahmi Ilyas (Mas) E-Rain 38.616.

STANDINGS

After 14 rounds: 1. Haryanto 229, 2. Gary Thompson (Irl) E-Rain 180, 3. Axcil Jefferies (Zim) Eurasia Motorsport 148, 4. Fahmi 92.