Jakarta, July 23 (IANS) Malaysia’s 19-year-old Afiq Ikhwan (Meritus GP) completed a double by winning the two races in the third round of the JK Racing Asia Series at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor near here Saturday, rising to the second place in the championship behind Austrian teenager Lucas Auer (EuroInternational).
A delighted Ikhwan picked up 42 points from his twin victories from pole to leave behind memories of two poor races in the second round of the series in Sepang in May.
He now has 102 points and is a clear second in the standings behind Lucas Auer who has had podium finishes in all eight races so far in his rookie season to tally 146 points.
Ikhwan won the two races in contrasting styles, facing a challenge from Auer in the morning when the lead changed hands early on before the Austrian spun off the track.
‘We have a good car, good setup and it was amazing. I would like to thank my team for all the hard work for these races. I am happy that the team has worked hard on the car, making the small changes necessary to gain pace from the last time in Sepang,’ Ikhwan said. ‘I am hoping to continue the good work in the two races tomorrow.’
Auer said he was delighted to be consistently taking the points but made it clear that he would return to the track Sunday to win both races.
‘While I am happy to take the points, I set out each time to win. I have noticed a few things in Afiq’s driving and will push him in the two races tomorrow,’ he said.
The results:
Race 1 (15 laps): 1. Afiq Ikhwan (Meritus GP) 24:23.822; 2. Lucas Auer (EuroInternational) 24:30.604; 3. Nabil Jeffri (Petronas Mofaz Racing) 24:33.854.
Race 2 (15 laps): 1. Afiq Ikhwan (Meritus GP) 23:04.818; 2. Lucas Auer (EuroInternational) 23:07.564; 3. Akash Nandy (Meritus GP) 23:25.593.
