Following the Swiss team’s success in the 6 Hours of Fuji, Rebellion Racing wrapped up the title chase for the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 Private Teams. Since then they have competed, and won, at the 1000 Mile Petit Le Mans event in the USA, so they come to the eighth and final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Shanghai with a lot less pressure on their shoulders. A lack of pressure, however, doesn’t mean that victory among the LMP1 Privateers won’t be their principal aim on Sunday.
The team will, however, be subject of much attention by Chinese media and motorsport fans as they are fielding the only Chinese driver in the race, Cong Fu Cheng – known in European racing circles as ‘Frankie’ Cheng. The rising star driver will share the driving of the No.13 Lola-Toyota with Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat for the 6 Hours of Shanghai.
Cong Fu Cheng is the first Chinese driver to race and finish on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in the LMP2 class in 2008), and like many of his colleagues in the pit lane he comes from a single-seater background which includes A1 Grand Prix from 2006 to 2009, Formula 3 (British and Euroseries) between 2007 and 2008 and the DTM championship for Mercedes in 2010. Last year, he competed in the Chinese round of the ILMC in Zhuhai with Mika Hakkinen, sharing the drive of a Mercedes SLS.
CongFu Cheng, No. 13 Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota: “I am really looking forward to my home race with REBELLION Racing. I really appreciate the chance that REBELLION Racing is giving me. I will do my best and will work together with my teammates Andrea Belicchi and Harold Primat and the team to achieve the best possible result.
“I have got some friends in Rebellion Racing already, especially I am good friends with Neel Jani and know Nico Prost from my time in A1 GP. I was the first Chinese driver that raced and finished on the podium at Le Mans 24 Hours (in LMP2 class in 2008). Obviously jumping into an LMP1 car and racing together with some of the great drivers will be challenging, but I am confident with myself of being able to perform well in Shanghai. It's absolutely my honour to race for REBELLION Racing. And surely, we will get very good media interest and coverage given the quality of the team and me as a Chinese driver in my home country race.”
Bart Hayden, Rebellion Racing Team Manager: “We will be competing at the 6 Hours of Shanghai with no pressure as we have achieved all our targets for this season. But our determination will remain high to achieve a strong result here in Shanghai to close off our fantastic season. Our cars and crew are as well prepared as ever. So, targeting a podium finish in Shanghai is not a unreachable objective.”
Fiona Miller (quotes from Rebellion Racing team press release)
Photo: SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT (SHANGHAI, CHINA), 6 HOURS OF SHANGHAI, FRIDAY, 26TH OCTOBER, FREE PRACTICE 1. Cong Fu Cheng will drive the No.13 Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota in the 6 Hours of Shanghai.
