Ananda eyes coveted Formula One license

Ananda eyes coveted Formula One license

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian auto racing talent Ananda Mikola is
gunning to obtain the license to drive in Formula One races, his
father has said.

Although Tinton Suprapto did not elaborate on the
requirements, he said Sunday his 18-year-old son would qualify
for the world's most prestigious races if he finished among the
top five in the Italian Formula Three circuit.

If Ananda succeeds, he will be the first Indonesian Formula
One driver ever.

Ananda came fourth in a race Sunday, the sixth leg of the
championship series, to remain in fifth place in the overall
standings with 61 points. There are four races left.

"Actually Ananda has achieved his target and if he manages to
maintain his performance, he may obtain the license to drive in
the Formula One," veteran driver Tinton was quoted as saying in
Surabaya by Antara.

Tinton said Italian team Minardi had shown interest in
contracting Ananda for the Formula One. Ananda currently dons the
RC Motorsport racing suit.

Ananda finished fourth in the Italian Formula Three race at
the Misano circuit won by Donny Crevel of the Netherlands on
Sunday. The Indonesian clocked 43 minutes and 00.773 seconds to
complete 29 laps over a distance of 117,740 kilometers.

Italian drivers Paolo Montini and Maurizzio Mediani were
second and third in the race.

Ananda is scheduled to participate in the Dutch Formula Three
race at the Zanvoord circuit next week.

He made his first podium finish in his two-year driving career
by taking second place in the fifth leg of the Italian Formula
Three at Imola two weeks ago. (lnt)