SEPANG, Malaysia: For the first time since the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999, fans got to hear the Singapore national anthem twice in the span of two days at the Sepang International Circuit, thanks to Singapore—based teenager Richard Bradley.
Competing in the support Formula BMW Pacific race, the 19—year—old English lad captured the first two rounds of the 16—leg championship held over the weekend.
Bradley, who was making his debut in open—wheel racing with the Eurasia team, won the first round on Saturday when he crossed the finish line ahead of Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr, son of two—time World Rally Champion of the same name, and Fahmi Ilyas of Malaysia.
Bradley finished the 10—lap race in 22 minutes 2.686 seconds and also set the fastest lap (2:11.139).
He repeated the feat in the second round on Sunday, clocking 22:20.522, ahead of Columbian Oscar Tunjo of the Meritus team and Japan’s Kotaro Sakurai (Eurasia).
"I am really thrilled. To win the first two rounds and setting the fastest lap times in both of them in my open—wheel debut is more than what I had expected," said Bradley.
"I hope Singaporeans are just as proud that the national anthem was played twice for the first time at the Malaysian Grand Prix here."
Bradley arrived last November to join dad Edward, a lawyer in Singapore, and with experience in karting since the age of eight, immediately got down to training aspiring young racers at the new karting track in Jurong.
He was granted a racing licence by the Singapore Motor Sports Association when he applied to compete in the Formula BMW Pacific championships.
Asked if he intends to continue flying the Singapore flag well into the future, he replied: "Well I love every bit of Singapore, even if I have been there only a short time, and that is something I won’t mind considering." —
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