Racing-car driver Marlon Stockinger the Filipino-Swiss said “I am not averse to take the risks on the track and the possible unpredictable crash or a spin-off will never deter my intentions to break into the F-1 circuit in 3-4 years”.
The 19-year-old racing-car driver was a son of Egin San Pedro of Parañaque born in Manila, Philippines to a Swiss father Thomas. Stockinger has flaunts Filipino heritage showing prominently the Philippine flag on his helmet driving suit and racing car.
“I grew up as Filipino in the Philippines, and I am very proud being a Filipino. I am able to speak Tagalog, English, as well as Swiss and little bit German. I hope to give honor to Filipinos and to the country by making the first Filipino ever to make it in F-1. Like Manny Pacquiao whose drive is to give glory and honor to the country by his determination and dedication is what I admired him most. I’ll be able to meet him someday” Stockinger said.
Stockinger was known as Filipino all throughout in his motor sports world. When he finished the Croft circuit race in Darlington, England last year, he was hailed as the first Filipino driver ever won a European formula series race in international media. His father testifies that Marlon was known as Filipino, not a Swiss even in Switzerland.
Thomas the father of Filipinos-Swiss race car driver was a karter himself. He raced about 7-years in ‘Philippine Team’ with the 15-man whose age ranging 12-55. Thomas was a vice-champion in the veterans division in Asia karting.
Stockinger began his life car racing adventure in a track as karter when he was 9-years old, influenced by his father who has lived in the Philippines in the year 1990.
Stockinger jumped from karting to junior formula cars. He won in 2008 in ‘Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship’ and raced the last 2-years in the Formula Renault series.
Recently Stockinger signed-up by ‘UK-based Atech CRS Grand Prix’ to join the team ‘Three-Car’ line up in the ‘GP3’ tour. Stockinger probably jump straight into ‘F-1’ from the GP ranks even in two years depending on his progress.
GP3 car is a turbo-charged, six gear that has 280HP and about 600-kilos weighs compared to a ‘Formula Renault’ which has rear-wheel drive scales around 500-kilos with 200HP.
“It’s very interesting, from karting to Formula BMW to Formula Renault, now to GP3” he said.
“It’s not easy as mountain to climb making it to F-1, you have always got to be prepared like doing school homework. If you practice hard, it will be seen in the performance. Discipline and sacrifice is always part of the game. I realized I cannot live my normal life; I have to maintain my weight. It requires mental and physical condition. I admire ‘Ayrton Senna’ the way he approaches to the sport and his p(–foul word(s) removed–)ion for racing. Also ‘Michael Schumacher’ in his commitment and work ethics in the sports” Stockinger said.
“Part of the racing is crashing and spinning-off. I don’t mind if sometimes I get hurt, charge to experience once in a while. Because when you get back into the car, you become more confident. I have noticed myself as fast driver but smooth. I have never afraid to go away from the limits. I think it is more important to always be on the edge,” he said.
“Whenever I race, it’s normal to get nervous, but it’s good to have butterflies in the stomach, it keeps you sharp,” he added.
Stockinger is not to lose his focus in the GP3 series, while making to F-1.
