Social media stuck on Filipino F1 driver Stockinger

MANILA, Philippines - A day after Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stockinger made a Formula 1 Lotus car's tires screech on the streets of Manila for the first time in history, admiring fans continued to scream his name on social networks.

The first Filipino to reach the upper tiers of the racing world as part of the junior team of Lotus, Stockinger was the star of the British team's auto show at the Quirino Grandstand and Mall of Asia grounds on April 4 and 5.

Newfound local racing fans expressed pride in finally having one of their own in the prestigious motorsport.

"I am a young Philippine driver trying to make my way up to the top level of motorsport. To be able to let people get close to the action really is something special, as Formula One is not something everyone can go and experience," Stockinger said in an interview on Monday with Lotus F1.

Fans also speculated on the make and original driver of the 700-horsepower vehicle shipped to the capital especially for the show. Stockinger himself revealed in a previous interview that it could easily be the same one that won world championships and grands prix.

For many, seeing Marlon drive in 360-turns called "doughnuts" and in sharp drafts was the first time to be acquainted with the sport of formula racing.

"People see it on TV, but will not always have the opportunity to get very close to a Formula One car, or hear the sound for real, so really we wanted to give people the chance to witness it themselves," the young driver said.

A 'dream come true'

The 22-year-old Stockinger, who races under the Philippine Flag, said on Monday morning that the show that brought Lotus' top executives, engineers and crew to the country "was an amazing weekend."

"Thank you to everyone for all the great support and to the Lotus F1 Team for giving me this opportunity! It was a dream come true," Stockinger posted on his Facebook account.

The racer will train all year to become a future full-time Formula 1 pilot in Europe with the same group behind world champions Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean.

"I never in my life would have expected to be able to drive a Formula One car here, only literally ten minutes down the road from where I grew up," Stockinger, who hails from Malate, said.

He is also scheduled to compete in nine races for the 2013 Renault World Series with Lotus amid intense training.

Stockinger observed that the recent speed show felt like "a grand prix weekend" with the bustling crowd excited to catch a rare glimpse of a formula racing car exhibition with a homegrown athlete in its cockpit.