Yoong, Alex

Competition No. 18
Date of Birth: Monday, July 19 1976
Place of Birth: Malaysia
Nationality: Malaysian
Driver Bio: Alex Yoong is Malaysia's most successful racing driver having
completed in a number of series right from Formula Asia to Formula One.

He began his professional motorsport career in 1995 in Formula Asia before
getting a break in the highly competitive proving ground of British F3 in
1998 where he continued the following year finishing on the podium twice.
He also competed in two rounds of the International Formula 3000
championship and notched up his second start in the prestigious Formula 3
Macau GP.

Yoong moved to Formula Nippon in 2000 and continued in 2001 before getting
his F1 break with the Minardi F1 team competing in F1 Grands Prix that
year. He was retained by the team in 2002 before competing in four rounds
of the American Champ Car series.

By 2004 Yoong was racing in V8 Supercars in Australia and two years later
tried his hand in the Le Mans Series before representing his country in the
2005-6 A1 Grand Prix series, winning a race, taking a pole and finishing
fifth in the championship.

In 2007 he continued representing his country in A1 Grand Prix winning
three races while also taking in a couple of Le Mans Series races. His
strong performances led to him continuing to represent Malaysia in A1 Grand
Prix in the 2007-8 season and in 2008 he also joined the competitive new
Speedcar Series.
Notes: Q&A

Q) How has testing gone so far for you in GP2 Asia?
The first day was all about checking the car and the systems and
learning how to work with the team, the mechanics and the engineers.
Going for a fast time was not on the working program.

Q) How did you end up in GP2 Asia?
Peter Thompson asked me if I was tempted with a challenge. I have
driven many categories from Formula Asia to British F3 and even the
European Formula 3000 in 1999. In A1 GP I have been a director,
shareholder and principal driver of A1 Team Malaysia, the Malaysian
national team in the competition. In 2006, I competed in the Le Mans
24 hours for the first time and was awarded "Rookie of the Year"
having finished fifth in my class and eighth overall. I have also
tasted the V8 Supercars Series in Australia, driven for WPS at
Sandhurst and in the 24 hours at Bathurst. I've even raced in Champ
Cars. I am very excited to be driving for a team with as strong and
impressive a reputation as Meritus.

Q) Looking at the calendar this season, which circuits will you enjoy
racing on the most?
It will come as little surprise but I will love driving at Sepang
again. I love the contact with my home fans there and it is so nice
to race at home. I'm also looking forward to going back to Shanghai
because I've won there before and I'm really looking forward to
discovering Bahrain.


One on one with Alex Yoong
Q1 When was last time that you drove a racing car?
In March 2008 with A1GP.

Q2 Will you be ready for the start of the season?
It looks like we will be. I will take a good lesson learning the car
and the new team rules and working habits.

Q3 Tell us about your fitness regime
Training is a routine. I am in good shape and fit. I look after
myself and need to be prepared as the G-forces are very strong in GP2.

Q4 How do you prepare for a race?
I remain natural and sleep well. This is where you keep your
advantage when you have a lot of energy.

Q5 What was your first racing car?
A Proton Saga in 1992.

Q6 What is your best racing memory?
My first ever F1 race where I raced at Monza with the Minardi team.
It was a pretty emotional experience.

Q7 What is your best quality?
I do not know but maybe, I am a good father!

Q8 What is your best racing quality?
I am very calm and resist pressure well.

Q9 What you hate the most?
Poor race officials.

Q10 What do you think about the regulations in GP2?
The regulations are good. It is a strong championship that has proven
its qualities bringing young drivers to F1.