Formula Masters Series (FMCS) newcomer Jake Parsons (19) of Meritus.GP and Hong Kong driver Matthew Solomon (18) of Eurasia Motorsport claimed a pole apiece today at Malaysia’s Formula 1 track, the Sepang International Circuit, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend of racing amongst the 18-car field.
Despite making his series debut this weekend, Parsons immediately showed he would be competitive: the Australian set the fastest time in this morning’s first free practice before following it up with a pole-setting time in the first of two 15-minute qualifying sessions. Solomon will line up alongside Parsons for tomorrow’s Race 10. Third fastest in the session was Briton Dan Wells (22) of Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG, while team mate and FMCS Drivers Classification leader James Munro (17) was fourth quickest. Rounding out the top five was Indonesian Andersen Martono (17) of Meritus.GP.
With the first qualifying session setting the grid for Saturday’s Race 10, the second qualifying session determined the order for Sunday’s Race 12 on the 5.543km circuit. Solomon, who won his first two series races last month in Inje, snatched pole position from rival Wells in the closing minutes of the second session. With a 2:08.166 lap time, Solomon will start from pole ahead of Wells, Parsons and Munro. Rounding out the top five was Star Racing Academy driver Bao Jin Long of Zen Motorsport.
The first qualifying session saw Parsons, Solomon and Wells all take turns at the top of the time sheets. Parsons set provisional pole on his third lap out, before bettering his time in the closing minutes of the session to affirm his maiden pole position. Newcomer Philip Hamprecht of Super License did not start due to an incident in the second free practice session.
The second qualifying session again saw Solomon, Parsons and Wells battle for pole. With less than five minutes remaining in the session, Wells set provisional pole, but two minutes later Solomon beat him by three-thousandths of a second. Solomon would go on to better his own time two laps later for his second pole of the season.
The 10-lap Race 10 and shorter six-lap Race 11 will take place today at the Sepang International Circuit with Race 12 (10 laps) set for Sunday.
Driver Quotes:
Jake Parsons/Meritus.GP/Pole Position Race 10, P3 Race 12
“It’s my first week in the car and things have been going really well. We’ve got the speed so it’s about staying positive and using that speed tomorrow. The car is a lot of fun to drive and I am learning as I go. The car is all I am focused on this weekend as I am trying to adapt to it and get the most out of it. It’s a track I like because it’s got a bit of everything. It’s challenging and has a bit of variety in it.
Matthew Solomon/Eurasia Motorsport/P2 Race 10, pole position Race 12
“To be on the front row for both races is not too bad. We thought we’d be quicker in first qualifying. But to be on pole, even with some problems, is great. If we work on the car we could be lightning tomorrow. I’m happy. The ball’s rolling now after Inje, we’ve got the whole team working perfectly. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been and am just mentally in the right place. So things are looking good.”
Dan Wells/Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG/P3 Race 10, P2 Race 12
“We had a good Q1, just pipped at the end there and we learned a few things in between sessions. We’re quite happy with the car, and we were able to just go out there and attack. The car is obviously quick and we’ve done a good job with it this week. I love the track and am just really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Yin Hai Tao/Zen Motorsport/P6 Race 10
“First qualifying was good, second not so good. I think I needed to push myself more. I want to improve not just against the other Chinese drivers but against all the drivers – that is my goal here and all season. This track is a good test for me and for everyone so I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
Bao Jin Long/Zen Motorsport/P5 Race 12
“The track is in good condition and that helped me. It wasn’t a bad effort in Q2 but I am up there with them. I like everything about this track and my car feels perfect so I will get a good night’s sleep now and come back ready to race.”
2014 Formula Masters China Series: Qualifying Race 10
| Pos | No | Driver/Nationality | Entrant | Time |
| 1 | 27 | Jake PARSONS (AUS) | Meritus.GP | 2:08.556 |
| 2 | 19 | Matthew SOLOMON (HKG) | Eurasia Motorsport | +0.384 |
| 3 | 16 | Dan WELLS (GBR) | Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG | +0.428 |
| 4 | 40 | James MUNRO (NZL) | Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG | +0.961 |
| 5 | 88 | Anderson MARTONO (INA) | Meritus GP | +1.004 |
| 6 | 29 | YIN Hai Tao (CHN) | Zen Motorsport | +1.350 |
| 7 | 7 | Ronald WU (HKG) | Zen Motorsport | +1.524 |
| 8 | 6 | BAO Jin Long (CHN) | Zen Motorsport | +1.591 |
| 9 | 17 | PU Jun Jin (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +1.721 |
| 10 | 33 | Daniel WOODROOF (MAS) | Meritus.GP | +1.799 |
| 11 | 18 | YUAN Bo (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +1.830 |
| 12 | 21 | Mandla MDAKANE (RSA) | Meritus.GP | +1.997 |
| 13 | 8 | Darma Mangkuluhur HUTOMO (INA) | Humpuss Junior Racing Team | +2.026 |
| 14 | 36 | Yasuo Senna IRIAWAN (INA) | Humpuss Junior Racing Team | +2.043 |
| 15 | 55 | Takashi HATA (JPN) | Super License | +4.229 |
| 16 | 11 | HUA Miao (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +4.398 |
| 17 | 24 | Dominic TJIA (HKG) | Eurasia Motorsport | +5.209 |
| DNS | 9 | Philip HAMPRECHT (GER) | Super License | – |
2014 Formula Masters China Series: Qualifying Race 12
| Pos | No | Driver/Nationality | Entrant | Time |
| 1 | 19 | Matthew SOLOMON (HKG) | Eurasia Motorsport | 2:08.166 |
| 2 | 16 | Dan WELLS (GBR) | Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG | +0.203 |
| 3 | 27 | Jake PARSONS (AUS) | Meritus.GP | +0.264 |
| 4 | 40 | James MUNRO (NZL) | Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG | +0.523 |
| 5 | 6 | BAO Jin Long (CHN) | Zen Motorsport | +0.943 |
| 6 | 18 | YUAN Bo (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +1.091 |
| 7 | 29 | YIN Hai Tao (CHN) | Zen Motorsport | +1.131 |
| 8 | 36 | Yasuo Senna IRIAWAN (INA) | Humpuss Junior Racing Team | +1.177 |
| 9 | 88 | Anderson MARTONO (INA) | Meritus GP | +1.261 |
| 10 | 33 | Daniel WOODROOF (MAS) | Meritus.GP | +1.296 |
| 11 | 8 | Darma Mangkuluhur HUTOMO (INA) | Humpuss Junior Racing Team | +1.534 |
| 12 | 17 | PU Jun Jin (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +1.614 |
| 13 | 7 | Ronald WU (HKG) | Zen Motorsport | +1.684 |
| 14 | 21 | Mandla MDAKANE (RSA) | Meritus.GP | +1.803 |
| 15 | 11 | HUA Miao (CHN) | Eurasia Motorsport | +3.866 |
| 16 | 24 | Dominic TJIA (HKG) | Eurasia Motorsport | +6.312 |
| 17 | 55 | Takashi HATA (JPN) | Super License | — |
| DNS | 9 | Philip HAMPRECHT (GER) | Super License | — |
Formula Masters China Series 2014 Provisional Calendar
| Date | Races | Venue |
| 9-11 May | 1-3 | Zhuhai International Circuit, China |
| 23-25 May | 4-6 | Shanghai International Circuit, China |
| 18-20 July | 7-9 | Inje Speedium, South Korea |
| 15-17 August | 10-12 | Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia |
| 19-21 September | 13-15 | Zhuhai International Circuit, China |
| 17-19 October | 16-18 | Shanghai International Circuit, China |
Formula Masters China Series (FMCS) official website:
