Rookie Mitchell makes dream debut

SEPANG: It was a perfect debut for Malaysian youngster Mitchell Cheah (pic) in the TCR Asia Series when he made it to the top of the podium in Race 2 at Sepang.

The 20-year-old had earlier scored his first podium finish when he took second place behind his Liqui Moly Team Engstler teammate Luca Engstler in Race 1.

The German and Mitchell started Race 1 from the front row while teammate Diego Moran of Ecuador started right behind them in third.

The trio set the pace at the start of the race and it looked like it would have been a 1-2-3 for the team when Moran was penalised for a start infringement.

Moran had to serve a drive through penalty that pushed him down the grid, eventually finishing the race in ninth.

It was in Race 2 where Mitchell really shone. Starting from ninth in a reverse grid, he did well to avoid a number of collisions in the opening lap, one of which ended teammate Moran’s race.

By the time the safety car came out, Mitchell was second and it was not long before he took the lead and went on to clinch a comfortable victory.

Mitchell, who has yet to fully recover after having his appendix removed less than two weeks ago, said he could not have asked for more.

He is now leading the standings with 47 points ahead of Engstler (45) and Hong Kong’s Lo Sze Ho (35).

“First of all, I have to thank Sepang Circuit for the maximum support and to Alex Yoong (former Malaysian Formula 1 driver) for guiding me throughout this year. It was a perfect start to the year.

“Lastly, I want to thank Liqui Moly Team Engstler, they have done a very good job giving me a very good car, it was a perfect start for the team.

“I had the perfect start, jumped from ninth to P2 before the safety car came out. I didn’t have a fast start but I was lucky enough to avoid all the incidents. After the safety car, I was confident of our car and just pulled away comfortably,” said Mitchell.

The five-round championship heads to Buriram, Thailand, for Round 3 and 4 from June 1-3.