Malaysian Wins F3 Euro Series At Brands Hatch

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Jazeman Jaafar, who is enjoying a podium-rich season of racing this year, celebrated his first F3 Euro Series win at Brands Hatch, United Kingdom, on Sunday, just one week after taking his first British F3 victory, in Pau, France. For the second weekend in succession, the Petronas-supported Malaysian stood on the top step of the podium with the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) flying above and the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku, playing to celebrate his success. The 19-year-old Jazeman competed at Brands Hatch as a guest driver, taking the opportunity to join the F3 Euro Series weekend to build race experience and race on a track layout new to him. With 11th quickest lap in the pre-event test on Friday, Jaafar improved to post seventh fastest time in the qualifying session to take this position for the third race. He quickly settled into a strong pace and was pushing hard each lap. An eighth place finish was a welcome reward for the Malaysian youngster. A semi-reverse grid for the second race put Jaafar in pole position and the pressure on his shoulders to lead the race from the start. He executed the perfect start to defend from Felix Rosenqvist into the first corner, never giving an inch as they raced through Paddock Hill Bend and up to Druids, emerging in the front and staying there for the duration of the race. Despite numerous attempts by his rivals to wrest the lead from him, Jazeman showed maturity and confidence as he kept his head and stayed ahead to take his first F3 Euro Series win and the first by a Malaysian driver. Reflecting on his win, Jaafar said: "That was a fantastic race. The car felt good and I knew that a good start was key to winning the race. I’m really happy to take another win, this time in F3 Euro Series after winning my first British F3 race in Pau (France) last weekend." Jazeman's busy season continues with a quick trip to Monaco next weekend as part of Petronas Talent Programme for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, where he will be in the pits with the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team. -- BERNAMA