Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport racing team provides a new car and an all-new driver line-up for the upcoming 2017 Formula Masters Series (FMS).
Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport racing team is on a mission to dominate FMS at the Sepang International Circuit, at the first race of the season held on April 7, 2017. FMS is a junior open-wheel racing event set to encourage future champions in the Asian region. Right off the bat, this year, the team have a new car with orange and black livery that debuted at the 5.543-kilometer Formula 1 circuit. But beyond the new livery, they now have a fresh roster of drivers namely Taylor Cockerton, Antolin Gonzalez and Ben Grimes.
The team now has a fresh roster of drivers namely Taylor Cockerton, Antolin Gonzalez and Ben Grimes
Like most drivers, Cockerton started his motorsport career in karting and single-seaters. He has gained his experience in motorsports in 3 racing championship events before landing a seat in the Philippine-based FMS team. These include The New Zealander Formula First Championship, the Formula Ford and the Toyota Racing Series where he finished 7th overall last year.
On the other hand, the Spanish Gonzalez is the team’s youngest driver at 16. He has a solid resume of experience as one of the test drivers in Formula 3. Gonzalez also had his share of actual competition at the 2016 F4 Spanish and Italian F4 Championships. Meanwhile, Grimes, of Filipino-British descent, has previously competed in the 2016 Toyota Vios Cup and tested in Formula 4 SEA.
Scoring a total of three wins and five podium finished last year, the team is confident that it can repeat its success in 2017 with the trio. Accompanying the team on FMS campaign are partners Cebu Pacific Air, Teng Tools, and P1 Racewear.
Taylor Cockerton: “I'm excited to be taking on Formula Masters Series with Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport. I know it is going to be a big challenge driving a new car on unfamiliar tracks but I am sure the team will give me the resources capable of challenging for the title. Together with my teammates, I am looking forward to bring them success this year.”
Antolin Gonzales: “This will be my first time racing in Asia and I am glad to have a strong team behind me. We made good progress during pre-season testing, familiarizing myself with the new car around Sepang and I believe we can do well this season.”
Ben Grimes: “I am incredibly grateful to race with an outfit as professional as Cebu Pacific Air by Pinnacle Motorsport on my Formula Masters debut. The team and I worked hard in testing to have a strong start this season. I hope to secure strong finishes to help the team claim the title in 2017.”
2017 Formula Masters Series Calendar:
Round 1 - April 7-9 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 2 - May 5-7 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 3 – June 16-18 (Zhuhai International Circuit, China)
Round 4 – July 28-30 (Zhuhai International Circuit, China)
Round 5 – September 22-24 (Shanghai International Circuit, China)
We’re hoping that the team will do even better starting with the season.
Taylor Cockerton NZ Formula First memories
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