Malaysian racer Akash Nandy proudly displays the 'Jalur Gemilang' after winning his F3 Remus Championship race at the Monza Circuit in Italy on Sunday.
PETALING JAYA: Young Malaysian racer Akash Nandy is making a name for himself in Europe.
The 18-year-old became the first Malaysian driver to win a race at the historic Monza Circuit in Italy when he clinched a double victory in the first round of the Formula 3 Remus Championship.
The Performance Racing Team driver did not have a good start in Sunday’s Race 1. Starting from pole position, he dropped a few places after his car almost stalled but he managed to fight his way back to win by a comfortable margin.
He won the 15-lap race in 27:05.383 ahead of Italian Marco Zanasi (27:32.119) and Austrian Christopher Hoher (27:36.780).
Akash began Race 2 on Monday under the reversed grid format. From 12th position, he managed to fight his way up to take the chequered flag in 26:58.479. Hoher clocked 27:15.531 for second place while Zanasi crossed the finish line third in 27:32.648.
This season’s Formula 3 has a 30-driver field with a total of seven rounds. Former Formula 1 world champions Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher competed in the series earlier in their careers.
Akash was delighted to start his season with a bang.
“I made a slight mistake at the start of Race 1. I dropped to seventh, but I remained composed as I knew I had very good pace.
“I am really pleased to begin my European career this way and with such a great team behind me,” said Akash.
Akash first made his name in the Formula Masters China. He scored four wins en route to third overall in 2013. He also created history by becoming the youngest driver at 16 to win the Macau Grand Prix, the final round of the championships.
Akash, who started his motor racing career as a go-karter at the age of eight, had a quiet year last season as he enrolled for a business management course at the University of Roehampton in the United Kingdom.
