Thursday, 27 October 2011 – The battle between multiple race winners Lucas Auer and Afiq Ikhwan to become the first JK Racing Asia Series Champion continues at the new Buddh International Circuit. Only nine points separates the duo heading into Rounds 13 & 14 which will be watched by millions of Formula 1 fans during the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India.

Six Indian drivers will join the JK Racing Asia Series (formerly known as Formula BMW Pacific) line-up over the weekend. Meritus has invited one of them as a guest driver: This driver flying the Indian flag is no stranger to the FB02 cars having participated previously, and is making his return at Meritus.GP as a guest driver.

Meritus.GP driver, Afiq Ikhwan, is coming off two very successful outings and with a tally of six back-to-back wins, the Malaysian is quickly catching up to Auer and has closed the gap to only a nine-point margin after Singapore. The 20 year old has also shown great strength, levelheadedness and determination heading into the final two race weekends.

Interview Afiq Ikhwan, 20 years old

Q What does the first India Grand Prix represent to you? Is it very important?

This race is key for me. I have just finished a string of six wins in a row. But I lost time and points in the Championship at the start of the season when I did not get everything together. So I am not the leader of the Championship. Now this win will be very important. On top, India is a new track. It makes it very challenging for everyone. It is fresh and interesting.

Q How did you prepare?

I already know from the simulator program that I have used several times that turn 3 will be my favourite. It goes uphill. It is very hard for every driver, uphill and 90 degrees to the right. You can’t see the next corner. This is very challenging.

Q Do you remember your first race?

No driver ever forgets their first race. I went go-karting first. In the first year, I won my first title and became rookie of the year. This earned me an incredible experience: to participate in the Al Ain final where I gained a lot of experience. It was challenging and dusty there. After that I won the Rotax Asia challenge and the Malaysia senior challenge. Then I went to Formula BMW. I have been fighting for the Meritus scholarship as well as for the 2009 Petronas experience and I have really learned a lot. I want to continue with this trend and develop more.

Q How did you meet the Meritus team?

Meritus organized different tests and several drivers were evaluated in the different test sessions. I test drove at 5 or 6 tests with Meritus. I learned a lot in Sepang as it is a very challenging track. I used thinking and experience too.

Q What is your secret to prepare for a race?

I focus and push hard and try to avoid mistakes and keep my times consistent throughout a session.

Q Are you fit too?

Yes for sure. I am in the gym every day except Saturday and Sunday because usually I have races.

Q What is your best result lately?

I won the races at the Singapore Grand Prix. It was a fantastic event. On the podium I could see the team members gathered around me. I saw the Malaysian flag. I heard the Malaysian anthem. This is all so important and I am very proud.

Q Tell us about the Indian Grand Prix?

It is a lot of work between me and my engineer. We arrive at the race and we are well prepared. A race is a lot of preparation before the race. Then we talk about the event and the set-up for the Indian race. We count on no red flags and must do as much as we can out of the 8/10 laps free practice as it is pretty short. Thirty minutes and dust is expected. That is the challenge.

Q Then Qualification session?

This is to set the race quality. The best way to communicate with engineers and it is the session where you can feel the car the best.

Q What is your best achievement until now?

Being able to drive as a full time career for the past 5 years since go-karting.

Q And school?

In the end it is not a hot subject. My family accepts and supports my choice. Zairuddin, my uncle raced in the Malaysian rally championship. Everyone knows of his deeds in Malaysia. So, somewhere racing is in the family. My best supporters are my two older sisters, Ili and Najwa.

Q Who is your toughest competitor?

Austrian Lukas Auer (who is the nephew of ex F1 Race-winner Gerhard Berger) and Nabil Jeffri are two accomplished drivers. It is very hard and tough to fight with them.

Q What is next?

If I win I move to the UK: I will be off to the Formula Renault Euro Series or British series and this will keep me pretty busy as there is a program of 40 races in a year and this I hope will allow me to get Petronas sponsorship too.

Q What is your dream overall?

I want to graduate and go all levels: F3 one season, Gp2, or Formula Renault 3.5 and finally go to F1!

Q Do you have other dreams?

I leave near KL In Kajang. So Sepang is my home track. But I won in Indonesia, I won in Singapore. Sepang is a dream to win as I still have not won at Sepang.

Q What teams inspires you in F1?

Ferrari. I love the red colour. I also like Alonso.

Q What car do you dream of?

A Lamborghini Murcialago. It has a very sexy look and the interior is awesome. It is just a complete car. One day, I wish I can buy a Ferrari.

Q By the way, who is your favourite driver?

Ayrton Senna. I believe I wanted most of his races on videos when he was driving at McLaren. He was a real champion and winning every race. And it was so much harder than nowadays with no driver’s aids. No electronics.

Indian driver RAJ

(Born Nov, 20, 1994) Will turn 18 on November 20

Started his career with 4 years of karting in India in Coimbatore and Hyderabad

Q What is a week-end like for you?

Usually I arrive on the Wednesday and leave on the Monday after the race.

Q What is your goal?

My goal is to be in the top ten in my first season. But here in India, I am very proud to be racing in front of Indian spectators. My family and home crowd will be cheering for me: My Mother and sister have travelled here to see me race. It is really a big event for India.

Q How do you organize and build your racing career?

Racing is a lot of discipline and hard work. Not only do you go to the gym everyday buy you must be clear about what you are doing.

Q What is your favourite track this season?

Indonesia. I was fast there and had a good result in the two races in P8 and P9 which means I finished in the points. It is a fast and flowing track. I like it.

Q what will the 2011 Formula 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India look like?

The new Buddh International Circuit in India is going to be a fast track with tricky corners. It is a bit like Sepang in terms of interest and technicality. The third corner is blind which I want to try. The fourth one goes downhill. It is fascinating

Q How did you learn the track?

It’s been on the simulator for a month and I have been on it as often as I could. I can reveal that my best time is a 1.22.1. Ultimately, I can’t wait. I wish to finish in the top ten.