Asian Motor Sports

ZHUHAI: The same gearshift problem that developed in Chengdu in September continued to dog Malaysian youngster Jazeman Jaafar throughout yesterday’s Formula BMW Asia Series final leg free practice session at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China.

Jazeman, who is gunning for the series title this weekend faced difficulties down-shifting the gears in his Car 33.

The sticky gearshift reduced the 14-year-old CIMB Team Qi-Meritus driver’s track time to just two practice sessions as he spent much of the final 30-minute free practice session in the pits to allow the mechanics to solve the problem.

“It is a shame that we lost so much track time today. However, I am glad that we managed to pinpoint the problem which is not in the gearbox itself but with the throttle that is not completely shutting,” said Jazeman.

“Looking at it positively, I am glad the team finally found the problem in time for qualifying and the race tomorrow. Hopefully I won’t have this problem bugging me again,” he added.

Despite the problems, Jazeman was consistently in the top five on the time sheets when he took his car out for a run. On numerous occasions, he clocked the quickest times in blustery conditions as all the drivers set out to find the best set-up for this weekend’s four races.

The Zhuhai circuit is seeing unseasonably cool weather with stiff cross winds causing set-up problems for most drivers and teams. Yesterday, most of the teams were forced to make numerous adjustments to the cars throughout the 30-minute practice session.

Jazeman’s best time clocked during the second session was 1:42.513, putting him as the fourth fastest driver.

CIMB Team Qi-Meritus’ Jack Lemvard set the fastest time of 1:41.909.

Zahir Ali of Team TaraDTM and Ross Jamison of CIMB Team Qi-Meritus were second and third fastest on 1:42.167 and 1:42.391 respectively.

“The car still doesn’t feel so good at the moment. The track feels slow and green, probably made worse by the low temperature. However, the team is confident of finding the right set-up for the qualifying and race tomorrow and if my gearshift problem is solved, I think tomorrow will be a happier day,” said Jazeman.

Jazeman is currently leading the overall points standings with 660 points followed by Zahir (594 points) and Grunwell (571 points).