Ananda hoping to reach F-3 Italian series top five

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rising star Ananda Mikola expressed optimism on Friday of reaching the world top five in his second year at the Italian Formula-3 series.

"I was in the top 10 last year and considering my knowledge of the circuit and my rivals, I'm sure I can get into the top five this year," said Ananda, who is the son of former national leading racer Tinton Soeprapto.

Ananda pocketed 24 points in last year's series, failing to reach the finish line four times due to engine trouble.

Tinton said Ananda would get the super license to compete in the Formula 3000 before competing in the Formula One if he could reach the top five position.

"The reason to send Ananda abroad really makes sense because he has achieved his best form," he said.

Ananda, who will compete under the banner of the RC Motorsport team, will leave Indonesia to compete in international events for 10 months in Italy. He won the Goro Champ of Champs event in Bandung and the Timor One Make race in the Sentul International circuit late last year.

Ananda will get a chance to practice at the Mugello, Vallelunga and Misano circuits on Feb. 22, March 2 and March 12 respectively.

Antara reported the Formula-3 series consists of the first series at the Vallelunga circuit on March 29, the second series at the Mugello circuit on April 19, the third series at the GP F1 Monaco circuit on May 17 and May 24, the fourth series at the Pergusa circuit on June 7.

The fifth series will take place at the Monza circuit on June 28, the sixth series at the Imola circuit on July 5, the seventh series at the Imola circuit on July 12, the eighth series at the Misano and Zandvoort circuits in the Netherlands on July 19 and Aug. 1, the ninth series at the Binetto circuit on Sept. 27 and Ananda hoping to reach F-3 Italian series top five the last series at the Magione circuit on Oct. 25. (yan)