Stockinger likes life on the edge

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Swiss race car driver Marlon Stockinger said the other day he’s not averse to taking risks on the track and an occasional crash or a spin-off won’t deter his plans to break into the F-1 circuit in three to four years.

Stockinger, 19, was born in Manila to a Swiss father, Thomas, and a Filipina mother, Egin San Pedro of Parañaque. The oldest of three children, he flaunts his Filipino heritage by prominently showing off the flag on his helmet, driver’s suit and race car.

“I grew up in the Philippines,” said Stockinger whose uncle Dr. Iby Bautista used to work with the Philippine Center for Sports Medicine and is now the Philippine Patriots team physician. “More than anything, I’m a Filipino. I’m proud to be a Filipino. I speak Tagalog, English and a little bit of German and Swiss. I hope to bring honor to our country by becoming the first Filipino ever to make it to F-1.”

Throughout the motor sports world, Stockinger is known as a Filipino. When he breezed to a lights-to-flag finish at the Croft circuit in Darlington, England, last year, Stockinger was hailed in international media as the first-ever Filipino driver to win a European formula series race. His father said even in Switzerland, he’s known as a Filipino, not a Swiss.

Stockinger said he idolizes Manny Pacquiao for his skills, dedication and the glory he brings to the country. “I do a little boxing myself to keep fit in the gym,” he said. “What I admire about Manny is he’s so driven. He fights for our country. I wish someday, I’ll be able to meet him.”

Stockinger began assaulting the tracks as a karter when he was nine years old, influenced by his father, a businessman who has lived here since 1990. Thomas was a karter himself and raced about seven years with the 15-man Philippine team whose age range was 12-55. In 2006, Thomas was the Asian karting vice champion in the veterans division. Stockinger’s mother prefers to watch her son’s races on film – she gets too nervous watching the action live, crossing her arms, legs and fingers, he said.

From karting, Stockinger jumped to junior formula cars. He was the Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship winner in 2008 and has raced the last two years in the Formula Renault series. Stockinger was recently signed up by UK-based Atech CRS Grand Prix to join the team’s three-car lineup in the GP3 tour. Depending on his progress, Stockinger may jump straight into F-1 from the GP ranks even in two years.

A turbo-charged, six-gear GP3 car has a 280HP and weighs about 600 kilos compared to a rear-wheel drive Formula Renault that scales 500 kilos with a 200HP. From karting to Formula BMW to Formula Renault and now to GP3, Stockinger has come a long way.

“Making it to F-1 is not an easy mountain to climb,” said Stockinger. “You’ve always got to be prepared, like doing your homework in school. If you train hard, it will show in your performance. It’s about discipline and sacrifice. I realize I can’t live a normal life. I’ve got to maintain my weight. I must be mentally and physically in condition. My F-1 idol is (Ayrton) Senna because of his approach to the sport and his passion for racing. I also admire (Michael) Schumacher because of his work ethic and his commitment to the sport. I see myself as a smooth but fast driver, not afraid to go beyond the limits. Part of racing is crashing and spinning off. It doesn’t hurt to experience it, once in a while, because when you get back into your car, you’re more confident. I think it’s important to always be on the edge. Whenever I race, I get nervous. It’s good to get butterflies in the stomach. It keeps you sharp.”

While making it to F-1 is his ultimate goal, Stockinger isn’t about to lose his focus in the GP3 series.

“I think GP3 is a really interesting prospect,” he said, quoted in the GP3 series newsletter. “You get to go to all the nice big circuits for a start. I think it’s every driver’s dream when you get to go to places like spa and be at the track and in that environment. Learning-wise, GP3 gets you into the rhythm of what’s to come in future series and what to expect when one does reach F-1. It’s a great training ground.”