MICK SCHUMACHER LEADS CHAMPIONSHIP AHEAD OF RALF ARON
INDIAN DRIVER PARTH GHORPADE TO MAKE HIS RETURN TO THE SERIES

After an action packed season opener in Bahrain, the MRF Challenge 2016 next heads to the Dubai Autodrome with 4 races scheduled to take place this weekend on December 8-10. The FIA sanctioned MRF Challenge 2016 championship, will return to Dubai for the second consecutive year at the challenging 5.39km circuit. Mick Schumacher, son of 7-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, currently leads the championship ahead of Ralf Aron, Joey Mawson and Harrison Newey.

Mr. Arun Mammen, Managing Director, MRF Tyres, commented, “We are excited to be back in Dubai after last year’s thrilling races. The twisty circuit provided many positive challenges and this year we have many new young drivers who are looking forward to competing here. Dubai is a key venue for the championship as we continue to race in the best circuits in the region.”

Round 1 in Bahrain saw the MRF Challenge being the main support race for the FIA World Endurance Championship. Harrison Newey, son of legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey, qualified on pole position and took a comfortable win in Race 1. Schumacher won Races 2 & 4 with Aron taking the win in Race 3.

Indian driver Parth Ghorpade will also return to the series for the first time in two years. This year the grid has yet another promising line-up headed by the returning Newey and Schumacher. Joining them is German F4 Champion Joey Mawson, 2015 Italian F4 Champion and F3 race winner Ralf Aron, Japanese F3 Champion (National Class) Yoshiaki Katayama and Manuel Maldonado, cousin of former F1 race winner Pastor Maldonado.

In its fifth year, the MRF Challenge will feature MRF Formula 2000 race cars, which have been made in India by JA Motorsport, who are based in Coimbatore. The Formula 3 style car has been built by JA Motorsport in technical collaboration with Dallara, and is considered to be the fastest of its kind in Asia. The new car is powered by a 2 litre Mountune Duratec engine with max power of 230 bhp and shod on MRF Z.L.O. tyres. The car will also feature advanced aerodynamics with underbody diffuser and a Hewland 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Free Practice 1&2 will take place on Thursday, December 8. Qualifying and Race 1&2 will take place on Friday, December 9, with Race 3&4 taking place on Saturday, December 10.

MRF Challenge 2016 Calendar:

Round 1: November 17-19, 2016, Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit (WEC Support Race)
Round 2: December 7-9, 2016, Dubai, Dubai Autodrome
Round 3: January 27-29, 2016, New Delhi, Buddh International Circuit
Round 4: February 17-19, 2016, Chennai, Madras Motor Race Track

Provisional Driver Line-up:

1. Harrison Newey
2. Juri Vips
3. Zane Goddard
4. Mick Schumacher
5. Dylan Young
6. Kimi Schramm
7. Manuel Maldonado
8. Joey Mawson
9. Pavan Ravishanker
10. Yoshiaki Katayama
11. Pedro Cardoso
12. Felipe Drugovich
13. Rinus Van Kalmthout
14. Bobby Eberle
15. Parth Ghopade