Si Sean “Rockrapidz” Smith ang naging una at pinakabatang Filipino na sumubok sa single-seat Formula Masters sa International F1 Circuit.
Ang 15-anyos na Smith, masusundan sa @rockrapidz, ay inimbitahan kamakailan ng Eurasia Motorsports, kilala sa pagkalap ng kabataang race drivers, kasama na ang Red Bull F1 GP race winner na si Daniel Ricciardo at Marlon Stockinger, upang subukan ang Formula Master (Volkswagen) single-seat, 185bhp-racecar na pwedeng umabot sa mahigit 220kph sa F1 International Circuit.
“We can spot a rising talent when we see one. Sean demonstrated he has the potential to go a long way in motorsports over his two days of testing at the Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia. He had to learn the circuit and drive a Formula car for the first time while coping with other more experienced drivers on the circuit at the same time. He ended the test by posting an extremely fast lap time for a novice making a great impression,” saad ng team principal na si Mark Goddard, ang multi-race winner sa Asia F2000 at Formula Toyota.
Ang Fil-British Smith, ang nakaraang taong Karting Rookie of the Year, ay gumaralgal muna sa unang sesyon kung saan ang clutch ay humigpit subalit pagsapit sa ikalawang sesyon ay naging natural ito at maagap na nakasanayan ang sasakyan.
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“I enjoyed every session and each time I learned something new. I drove different cars and got the same result. The car requires minimal set up and it’s more of the skill of the driver. It is always great to join a race where the skill of the driver takes precedence over technical and financial aspects. The training program developed for me by Functional Fitness (formerly Sky Fitness) has helped me a lot in building my overall body strength to cope with the G-forces and physical input required for driving a fast car,” dagdag ni Smith. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Phi 4:13).”
Matapos ang kanyang pagsubok, nakakuha si Smith ng thumbs-up mula sa mga nanood na elite scouts.
“Sean impressed us not only with his natural speed but also with his attitude and application. If he continues to develop as he did on his first test then he has the potential to go all the way to the top,” ayon kay Greg Wheeler, Technical Director (dating F1 engineer sa Minardi, Arrows at Williams na kaagapay ni Ralf Schumacher at Jos Verstappen).
“Sean showed a lot of maturity and confidence for his age and when I heard his real age it shocked me. No doubt Sean has a lot of potential for the future and I look forward to seeing him develop,” pahayag naman ni Richard Bradley, Eurasia Motorsport driver/coach at World Endurance Championship driver at race winner.
