Hong Kong teen Matthew Solomon to race with ex-F1 champ Mika Hakkinen
Up-and-coming driver Matthew Solomon will race with ex-F1 champ Hakkinen in Zhuhai
An up-and-coming Hong Kong driver has been given the opportunity to race alongside two-time Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen for rounds nine and 10 of the GT Asia series in Zhuhai next month.
Matthew Solomon will have the chance to learn from the 1998 and 1998 F1 champion after being selected by Mercedes AMG China and Erebus Motorsport for the race from October 11-13.
The 17-year-old Chinese International School student will race the SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing, alternating duties with the Finn at Zhuhai International Circuit.
"It's an honour and a privilege to be driving with Mika. I've been watching him on TV when I was younger and never thought something like this was even possible. Now I've been with him a few times, he's a great guy and we get along really well. I'm sure we will do a good job in Zhuhai," said Solomon.
Solomon earned his spot in Zhuhai during his rookie season in the Formula Master China Series category this year and after he successfully completed a young driver test in an SLS AMG GT3 last week in Germany.
"[The Zhuhai race] is definitely a step in the right direction [career-wise]and I feel privileged that my hard work is being recognised by having this opportunity," Solomon said "We want to win for sure and we will do everything we need to do to achieve that result."
The GT Asia race is split into two days and Hakinnen and Solomon will share racing duties. The pair will engage in compulsory pitstops to refuel, change tyres and swap drivers.
"It's a highly professional operation. The experience I will gain from this will be invaluable to my career and I am really proud to be selected as a Hong Kong driver to represent Hong Kong," said Solomon, who will also compete in the final rounds of the series in Macau in November.
Hakkinen, who turned 45 yesterday, retired from racing in 2007 but still occasionally competes. The GT Asia series, which has had stops in Motegi, Okayama and Fuji in Japan, plus in Sepang earlier this month, culminates at the Macau Grand Prix on November 15-17.