Meritus-1: Alvaro Parente atop the Meritus Formula BMW car. 31.03.2009: The thrill and excitement of GP2 Asia was brought into the heart of Petaling Jaya today when My Qi Meritus.Mahara performed a pit stop demonstration in front of AmCorp Mall today.

Marco Bonanomi thrilling the crowd with a pit-stop demo at the AmCorp Mall.

The thrill and excitement of GP2 Asia was brought into the heart of Petaling Jaya today when My Qi Meritus.Mahara performed a pit stop demonstration in front of AmCorp Mall today.

The Malaysian team, who are the only Asian outfit to be granted a license to compete in the most successful F1 development championship, also had a meet-and-greet session with the fans and the team’s drivers Marco Bonanomi and Alvaro Parente were mobbed by enthusiastic supporters who turned up by the thousands to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

The team’s sponsors, QuestNet Malaysia, also held a charity auction while 200 lucky winners from QuestNet Malaysia’s treasure hunt, held last weekend, received grandstand tickets to watch the Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend. The GP2 Asia Series is one of the support races for the Malaysian F1 GP.

"It was great to meet the fans and build some rapport with them ahead of the weekend races," said a delighted Bonanomi, who gladly posed for pictures with the fans as well as six grid gals.

"There is a lot of excitement surrounding the team and I can see why the team bosses are anxious for us to do well. I have raced in Sepang before and I know what to expect. I will give my best and hopefully, we can be on the podium for both races."

His views were echoed by Parente, who only arrived last night after testing in the European GP2. "Like Marco, I’m determined to get on the podium. I had really good tests in Europe and hope to use what I learned there at Sepang."


Team owner, Firhat Mokhzani said: "We have been working very to make sure the set up of the cars are perfect for this weekend’s races. Marco has been in the simulators and has managed to solve some of our problems we had with the new tyres.

"Alvaro, meanwhile, has been testing in the European GP2 and set the quickest times in the last round of tests last weekend. This has given us hope of getting on to the podium in Malaysia."

Peter Thompson, team founder commented: "For the 2009 GP2 Asia Series Malaysian round, QuestNet Malaysia and My Qi-Meritus.Mahara have come together to organise a number of thrilling promotions for the fans in the week before our home race.

"Motorsport is all about the fans and sharing the  experience and bringing them closer to the excitement and Questnet, the power behind My Qi-Meritus.Mahara has understood how to communicate best with fans around races."

 The fifth round of the GP2 Asia 2008-2009 season will take place at Sepang International Circuit April 3-5 April 2009.

 RACE PROGRAM FOR MALAYSIAN FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX

 FRIDAY 3rd April 2009
 08:30 - 9:15 SpeedCar Qualifying
 09:30-11:30 FORMULA ONE -Track Inspection & 1st Practice Session
 11:55-12:25 GP2 - Asia. Practice
 13:05 13:50 Paddock Club - Pit Lane Walk
 12:50- 13:20 Formula BMW Pacific
 13:30-15:30 FORMULA ONE - Track Inspection & 2nd Practice Session
 16:00 -16:30 GP2 - Asia. Qualifying


 SATURDAY 4th April 2009
 10:20-10:50 Paddock Club - Pit Lane Walk
 10:30 12:00 FORMULA ONE - Track Inspection & 3rd Practice Session
 12:25-13:10 Porsche Carrera Cup - Qualifying
 13:15- 13:45 Paddock Club - Pit Lane Walk
 14:00 15:00 GP2 - Asia
 17:00 FORMULA ONE - QUALIFYING SESSION
 18:00 Formula BMW Pacific


 SUNDAY 5th April 2009
 09:10-09:55 Speedcar - 2nd Race (Local Event)
 10:20-10:50 Formula BMW - 2nd Race
 11:10-12:45 GP2 Asia
 14:25 -15:10 Paddock Club Pit Walk
 15:30 F1 Drivers' Track Parade
 15:45 Starting Grid Presentation
 16:30 Pit Lane Open - F1 Cars Grid Formation
 16:45 National Anthem
 17:00 F1- Malaysia 2009 (56 laps or 120 minutes)


- Agnes Carlier, photos My Qi-Meritus-Mahara