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Young Macau wins Asian Formula Renault 2.0

SÉRGIO FONSECA - 29 Aug 2017

Macau's Leong Hon Chio, also known as Charles Leong, just 15 years old, has become the youngest ever Formula One champion in Formula 1 Asia, the region's oldest single-seater championship with the gadget of Renault Sport. The newest champion in the history of the championship was until now the Portuguese resident in the territory, Rodolfo Avila, who in 2003 won the title at age 16, at a time when the competition still had a race in the Macau Grand Prix program.

Leong reached the title last Sunday in Shanghai, having just completed a race in second place and another in third place, sealing the championship accounts when they still have to complete the two final races at the Zhuhai International Circuit . On his way to winning the title of champion of the 2017 season, the Macau driver has already climbed the podium nine times in ten possible, winning four times.

The young rider from the territory started the karting championships in Macau and South China, rising to the single-seater categories only in the middle of last year after reaching the minimum age of 15 allowed by the regulations.

At the press conference, after the races in Shanghai, Leong thanked the family and his team for their support, stressing again that he would like to "make the leap" to the most demanding European reality next year, something that will be very difficult to achieve if not rely on vital local support.

The one who is unanimously singled out as the youngest hope of the Macao SAR Motorsport can still go further this season as he is currently leading the China Formula 4 Championship with only two events to go . If you can do it, which is perfectly within reach, given the hegemony shown in the competition sponsored by the Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely, the high school student will be the first rider in the territory to win two single-seater championships in the same season.

Read more: https://hojemacau.com.mo/2017/08/29/jovem-de-macau-vence-asiatico-de-formula-renault-2-0/