Jefferies out of Bahrain test

Sport
ZIMBABWE motor racing driver Axcil Jefferies’ hopes of taking part in the 2014 GP2 Series season could go up in smoke after the rising star failed to secure sponsorship to take part in the second pre-season testing which gets underway in Bahrain today.

ZIMBABWE motor racing driver Axcil Jefferies’ hopes of taking part in the 2014 GP2 Series season could go up in smoke after the rising star failed to secure sponsorship to take part in the second pre-season testing which gets underway in Bahrain today.

DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER

Jefferies had looked set to secure a seat with the Trident Racing Team after representing the Italy-based team during the first pre-season testing at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

However, yesterday Jefferies expressed his disappointment at failing to get sponsorship to compete in Bahrain.

Jefferies said the latest setback could hamper his hopes of competing in the 2014 GP2 Series season.

“Unfortunately we were not able to secure any sponsorship, so will miss this week’s testing in Bahrain. I’m really disappointed for all the people who were following us as I know what we were doing made a lot of people in Africa proud.

“If we don’t sign by Wednesday (today) we are out for the rest of the year which would be very unfortunate because Trident have been holding out for us to give Africa an opportunity.”

Jefferies was in the country last month in an attempt to engage the Zimbabwean government through the Sport, Arts and Culture ministry to help him make his dream reality.

“We haven’t got even a cent from them and we are not optimistic at all as they are not responding to letters from the team. It’s a huge missed opportunity for Zimbabwe tourism and sport.”

“Most emerging markets see the value of the platform motor sport offers and support drivers so that their respective countries get the exposure. That’s why nations and the biggest corporates advertise and sponsor motor sport. Some of us are unfortunately lacking vision,” Jefferies fumed.

Traditionally governments have invested in Formula One by paying to stage races, but now they are cutting deals with drivers and teams.

The Venezuelan government through the State-owned PDVSA oil company, funds Pastor Maldonado who drives for Williams in the Formula One. Maldonado repaid the faith his country had shown in him when became the first Venezuelan to win a Formula One Grand Prix when he won the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, for Williams.

Like Jefferies, Maldonado also used the GP2 Series as a stepping stone to the Formula One as he was also part of the Trident racing team in 2007.

Last year a Swiss Formula One team, Sauber announced a partnership deal involving three backers with close links to the Russian government that will see the Swiss team fasttrack teenager Sergey Sirotkin for the inaugural Russian Grand Prix later this year.