Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stockinger inches closer to his dream of being a Formula One driver with a recent third place win at the Nürburgring leg of the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 series. Familiar with him? Racing as a junior driver under the Lotus F1 Team, this win moved Stockinger two notches higher in the championship standings, placing him at eighth.
“I’m happy to have done well during the race, and will strive to maintain podium finishes as we continue the series and my journey to F1,” he said. With an impressive track record and tremendous potential, twenty-three year old Stockinger is well on his way to be the first Filipino F1 racer.
Stockinger started racing in go-karts when he was nine years old, a hobby he shared with his father. He remembers winning his first Philippine Karting Championship experience and swore then he would soon become an F1 racer.
He moved to Europe when he was 17 to go after his dream. In February 2013, he, along with six others, joined the Lotus F1 Junior Team, where they undergo rigorous training to enhance their wellness and performance as they prepare to compete in the F1 races.
As the Prince of Speed, Marlon enjoys a fast-paced lifestyle on and off track. For someone who knows what it’s like to deal with constant travels, he finds fast and seamless connectivity as instrumental to close the gap separating him from home. “I know what it feels like to want to be constantly updated, especially if it has something to do with the people I care about. It helps me concentrate better if I know my loved ones are okay, especially during difficult times such as typhoons,” he said.
In between races abroad, Stockinger comes to the Philippines to spend time with his family and friends. Being active on social media has also made Stockinger realize the growing appreciation of Filipinos for racing.
He regularly updates his pages with stories and photos of the races and events he participates in. “Fans send me encouraging messages before I take on any race, and they’re a huge boost to my confidence. I feel more motivated and proud to carry the Philippine flag knowing I have Filipinos urging me on.”
He will compete again at the next round in Hungaroring track in Budapest, Hungary on September 13-14. Stockinger believes he will do well in this track, having liked the venue and scoring well in previous races. This is the seventh of the nine tracks forming Renault’s World Series. The competition is a major step to qualify for the F1 series, known as the fastest and premier racing sport.
Last Updated on 9 years by Carizza
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