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Unus Alladin

Hong Kong's Lee triumphs in first race on new circuit

Marchy Lee Yin-kin has always kept his emotions in check. But while standing on the  podium with the strains of the Chinese national anthem playing in the background, and in front of thousands of delirious fans, the emotion of becoming the first driver to win at the highly impressive 5.451km Shanghai International Circuit got the better of him.

This was an historic moment for Lee, and for China itself.

Lee won a highly-charged contest to continue his blazing form in the Formula BMW Asia Championship, notching his 10th win out of 11 races in what surely was the greatest victory of his fledgling career.

Not only did Lee win the race by a massive 5.761 seconds from second-placed Hamed al-Fardan of Brunei, he did it despite tearing the webbing between his thumb and forefinger after a spectacular incident early in the race. The incident happened after he overcame a poor start before launching - quite literally - his challenge again.

Lee's car was catapulted into the air after touching wheels with early race leader Hanss Lin Po-heng of Taiwan. Lee landed heavily, injuring his hand, but the Hong Kong driver continued the race despite the pain to win the 10-lap race.

'Nothing can compare to this,' gleamed the 28-year-old Team Meritus driver. 'I was in pain throughout the race and it was such a relief when I finally won.

'It's a small cut but the wound is quite deep,' added Lee, who required five stitches.

Lin snatched the lead at the start  and Lee tried to overtake the Taiwanese on the first turn before his rival closed the door.

Lee waited for another opportunity in the following lap at the same turn as he pulled up to Lin, who swung across the track, trying to prevent Lee from passing.

But Lee held the inside line and Lin tried to close the door on him again, but it was too late this time. Lee touched square with Lin's car - wheel to wheel - causing Lee's car to be launched into the air.  Lin's car was damaged and he dropped right out of the race to finish eighth.

The incident shook up Lee, who said: 'I was right alongside [Lin], holding my line, then suddenly I was launched upwards. My left side went really high, and all I could see was sky. When I came back to earth the impact was very heavy and the steering wheel moved very violently in my hands.

'I felt a little pain in my left hand, and my glove was getting wet, but I kept pushing because Hamed [Al Fardan] was catching up with me.

'After I opened up a slight lead, I eased off a little to protect the car in case it was damaged during my landing. I still had to concentrate very hard because the car was not handling right, and I was so happy when I saw the chequered flag.

'I was so determined to win this race. When my car was launched up, I thought that it was all over. I was very lucky to keep going, and even more so to win. I hope the local crowd enjoyed the race, and I hope to be able to give them more to cheer about tomorrow,' he added.

Lee's team manager, Peter Thompson, was overjoyed with his charge's latest win, which equalled Dutchman  Tung Ho-pin's record of 10 wins in winning the series last year.

'If Marchy doesn't go to Formula One, he can pass this down to his children by telling them that he won the first race of the China Grand Prix. That's wonderful for him. He's the first person to hear the national anthem played at the circuit. It's an incredible proud day,' said Thompson.

'I saw him [Lee] on the podium. Marchy is normally a cool person, but he was emotional on the podium. It was just wonderful for the team to see that and to see the flag being raised. It was great.'

Lee's injury is a cause for concern as he aims to break Tung's record outright in round 12 today.

'If that bandage doesn't come off, it would be a problem. He said it was very painful. His thumb was bent back 40 degrees. The stitches are the visible damage but the muscle damage was the worst part it,' said a concerned Thompson.

'But he's here to win and he's a big boy now. He's a champion and he has to get into the car and do his job,' he added.

Thompson said the incident had shaken Lee, adding: 'It happened on the left-hand turn ... Marchy had the inside line and [Lin] just turned in on him.

'The car is amazing. The car went back on its four wheels after that and kept going. It's a very strong car. When the front wheels hit the ground again, he pulled the steering wheel out of his hands and that's what caused it [the injury].'

Second-placed al-Fardan of Belgravia Motorsport said Lee was too quick yesterday. 'I heard he suffered an injury. He won the race despite facing difficulties.

'He deserved to win,' said al-Fardan.

Filipino driver Tyson Sy, who finished third, was delighted with his third straight podium finish after his two second-place finishes in Japan earlier this month.

'I am very happy because I started seventh on the grid. I caught up with the field after the third lap even though there were many accidents.

'Luckily, I stayed out of trouble. Marchy was quick today. He was unstoppable,' said the 16-year-old.



Marchy right on song