Stockinger banners first F1 demo in Manila with Lotus

MANILA, Philippines - For a change, the weekend air was filled not with loud political campaign jingles, but the shrill, feral roar of Formula One engines—not to mention the excited cheers of a multitude of motorsport fans and onlookers.

Our very own Filipino-Swiss racing hero Marlon Stockinger and the Lotus F1 team held court at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday, then the SM Mall of Asia grounds the next day, for the country’s first Manila Speed Show, presented by Globe Tattoo.

If you still don’t know who Stockinger is, the 22-year-old holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to break through into the sport of F1—piggybacked on a stellar international motorsport and karting career. The Lotus F1 Team picked Stockinger to be part of its group of seven elite “junior drivers” to train, test and compete for the team. This means that Stockinger is but a breath away, if the cards play out correctly, from becoming an F1 driver himself. Yes, the first Filipino to be one.

By way of more comprehensible comparison, perhaps, for basketball-crazy Filipinos, imagine Marlon as being recruited in the NBA Developmental (or D) League. These players, usually affiliated with NBA teams, can be called up at a moment’s notice to suit up for the big stage. However, the stakes are higher for F1, of course, because there are fewer teams, and even fewer drivers.

That makes Stockinger even more special.

“Motorsport can be very daunting for young drivers, particularly everything that occurs away from the track,” said Lotus F1 Team Principal Eric Boullier. “We hope to give our drivers the very best preparation possible for their future careers.”

At the Manila Speed Show, I was witness to how young Marlon has become sort of a rock star to a growing number of Filipinos who may not necessarily be F1 fans. Despite the sweltering heat, people crowded the fenced-off internal roads of the mall complex for a glimpse at Marlon and the famous Lotus F1 car. My eardrums gave me grief when the car passed by at full throttle. There’s no doubt about the power there.

The Lotus F1 team (known as Renault until 2011) banners 2007 F1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen as its main driver. The team is owned by Genii Capita, and derives its name from branding partner Group Lotus.

For many, the Manila Speed Show afforded a closer look not just at Stockinger and his car, but the innards of the sport. A makeshift paddock showed the sort of precision teamwork and specialized equipment that makes the F1 such a highly developed sport.

Donned in the team’s uniforms sporting distinctive black with gold highlights, the pit crew constantly checked and tooled about the three featured cars that alternately zipped through the makeshift course. Marlon was constantly waving to the crowd, gamely smiling and acknowledging their adulation despite what must have been an arduously hot tracksuit and cockpit.

VIPs were in attendance, and some of them had the rare chance to hop aboard a two-seat racer to be driven around the “track.” Meanwhile, I had a chance to participate in the “Pit Stop Challenge,” where pairs were tasked to complete a quick tire change on Marlon’s Lotus car. I tell you, participants sure came away with a better appreciation for the kind of training a pit crew member must endure to be on top of the game.

At the media tent, Marlon took the time to thank the press, which have been very supportive of him. Mom Egin Stockinger was particularly emotional, shedding tears while she thanked everyone.

“I’ve been part of the junior team and they (Lotus F1 team bosses) gave me this wonderful opportunity to bring a Formula One car to the streets of Manila,” Marlon said.

“It’s been a long hard road. I’ve been in this sport for 12 years, ever since I was about nine. (In the media, people) normally see highlights, but behind those highlights, there’s a lot of sacrifice. I had to leave the Philippines to pursue my career in Europe, and it’s been a long journey. You always have to be focused and grounded, and always believe in yourself,” he continued.

According to a release, Marlon flies off to Europe after the Manila Speed Show to “resume his Formula Renault 3.5 series campaign in Monte Carlo, with several races all over Europe until the season ends in October.”

This time, Stockinger surely brings the support and prayers of more Filipinos with him.