Stockinger revs up for GP2 season

MANILA, Philippines - Lotus Formula 1 junior driver Marlon Stockinger makes his keenly awaited return to Status Grand Prix team as he gears up for a stint in the 2015 GrandPrix 2 Series in Bahrain next month.

The 23-year-old Filipino-Swiss driver, a Globe Telecom ambassador, raced for the team in GP3 in 2012 and scored a win in the Monaco GP plus two podium finishes. He moved on to Formula Renault 3.5 for two seasons and joined the Lotus F1 Junior team in 2013, finishing 18th overall in the first season before placing ninth overall last year.

“We are delighted to welcome Marlon back to the team following a successful GP3 campaign in 2012. Marlon is a hard-working and dedicated driver and we know he will apply a high level of professionalism to his maiden GP2 season,” said Status GP team principal Teddy Yip Jr.

The Bahrain GP is set April 15-17.

Stockinger also expressed his delight over his return stint with Status, saying: “It is really good to come back to Status where I have a lot of happy memories from our time in GP3, especially winning in Monaco.”

He added: “I feel very excited to be back with the team in my first GP2 season. My fans are already so excited about what I am doing this season and guessing which team I am with. It is pretty cool that motorsport is growing more popular in the Philippines and I am really thankful to have so much support.”

Backed by Globe Telecom, Stockinger starred in Slipstream, a full-day affair which celebrated the telco’s brand new network with a race car driving exhibition, interactive booths, and an outdoor music festival. Stockinger showed off his track skills driving his Lotus-Gravity Charouz Formula Renault 3.5 race car around Bonifacio Global City.

“We are very happy and excited for Marlon as he gets close to his racing dreams. We look forward to more of his achievements as he continues to bring honor and pride to the country,” said Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu.