Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle joined the Formula Masters Series (FMS) at the Sepang International Circuit, at the first race of the season held on April 7, 2017. The team has a new car with orange and black livery that debuted at the 5.543-kilometer Formula 1 circuit. There was also an all-new driver line-up that included Taylor Cockerton, Antolin Gonzalez and Ben Grimes.
Cockerton has gained his experience in motorsports through karting and single-seaters. The New Zealander has competed in NZ Formula First Championship, Formula Ford and in Toyota Racing series where he finished 7th overall last year. On the other hand, the Spanish Gonzalez is the team’s youngest driver at being only 16 years old but he brings his experience in Formula 3 and in the 2016 F4 Spanish and Italian F4 Championships. Meanwhile, Grimes, of Filipino-British descent, has previously raced in the 2016 Toyota Vios Cup and tested in Formula 4 SEA. All three made their FMS debut at the season opener in Malaysia.
Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport was last year’s FMS vice champions, scoring a total of three wins and five podium finishes. The team is confident that it can repeat its success in 2017 with the trio. Accompanying them are partners Cebu Pacific Air, Teng Tools and P1 Racewear.
Taylor Cockerton: “I’m excited to be taking on Formula Masters Series with Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport. I know it is going to be a big challenge driving a new car on unfamiliar tracks but I am sure the team will give me the resources capable of challenging for the title. Together with my teammates, I am looking forward to bring them success this year.”
Antolin Gonzales: “This will be my first time racing in Asia and I am glad to have a strong team behind me. We made good progress during pre-season testing, familiarizing myself with the new car around Sepang and I believe we can do well this season.”
Ben Grimes: “I am incredibly grateful to race with an outfit as professional as Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport on my Formula Masters debut. The team and I worked hard in testing to have a strong start this season. I hope to secure strong finishes to help the team claim the title in 2017.”
2017 Formula Masters Series Calendar:
Round 1 – April 7-9 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 2 – May 5-7 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 3 – June 16-18 (Zhuhai International Circuit, China)
Round 4 – July 28-30 (Zhuhai International Circuit, China)
Round 5 – September 22-24 (Shanghai International Circuit, China)
Formula Masters Series is the Asian region’s premier international junior single-seater racing series that helps develop motorsport drivers into the next racing stars in Asia. To know more about FMS, visit www.formulamasterschina.com.