Team 1Malaysia FXPrimus Aylezo Takes Podium in Abu Dhabi
A tumultuous weekend for Team 1Malaysia FXPrimus Aylezo ended on a high note as Jazeman Jaafar and Hiqmar Danial battled unfavourable circumstances to finish second in the first ever Gulf 12 hour endurance race held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Preparations for the race got off to the worst possible start with team owner and driver Zen Low finding himself barred from racing due to unspecified issues with his international racing license. This hiccup saw driving duties fall squarely on the shoulders of British Formula 3 driver Jazeman Jaafar and Formula BMW driver Hiqmar Danial.
Between them, Jazeman and Hiqmar were the youngest drivers on the starting grid and Aylezo was the only team competing with two drivers rather than three. Things then took a further turn for the worse. Despite qualifying second, the team’s Lotus 2-Eleven was bumped to the back of the grid after having to replace its engine.
Starting from the back, Jazeman was dealt further blows as failure of certain mechanical parts forced lengthy pit stops on the team, lasting up to an hour at one point. After six hours of racing, the car experienced an electrical problem that stalled it right in the middle of the circuit, although the team was able to get it running again within minutes of being towed into the pits.
The lengthy stops cost the team five laps, a deficit which Jazeman was able to claw back with a series of impressive times. Before handing the hotseat to Hiqmar, Jazeman was consistently lapping the circuit a full five seconds faster than the faster car in the class. As daylight turned into night, the cooler weather provided ideal running conditions for the car, and it was smooth sailing for the team from then on.
The team now looks forward to future races with the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race, which takes place at the Sepang International Circuit in August, being the next confirmed race for the team.
Pictures: Official team release.
