For the first time, Southeast Asian-based drivers will be able to progress from karting, through the ranks of junior single-seaters, and step up to a program specifically designed to groom them for the pinnacle of international motorsport — Formula One.

Speaking at the launch in Hong Kong, where the Formula V6 Asia by Renault car was unveiled, Malaysian-based Motorsport Asia’s chief executive officer David Sonenscher said he believes both the concept behind the series, and the timing of its introduction, are good news for the sport.

"Until now, drivers reaching that crucial point in their careers where they have successfully mastered junior single-seater racing and are ready to take the next step have had to move to Europe to do so. This can be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for several reasons such as cost, on-going education, or their sponsor’s reluctance to follow them outside Asia. Formula V6 Asia by Renault will give these drivers a chance to develop in the very highest category of single-seater racing below Formula One without leaving the region. It puts a whole new face on the sport here in Asia, will give a far greater number of our drivers a realistic shot at Formula One, and I am sure it will encourage a lot more youngsters to consider motorsport as a career," Sonenscher said.

France-based Renault Sport Technologies’ Motor Sport and Communications director, Jean Paul Mari said: "I’m convinced that this is a genuine opportunity to develop motorsport in this part of the world and to create a real driver development program leading to Formula One. The Asian market now needs a top-of-the-range single-seater category to meet the expectations of drivers moving across from Formula BMW, Formula Renault and Formula 3. The car has all the necessary features: Carbon fiber structure and Head and Neck Support System (HANS), left-foot braking, carbon brakes and steering wheel-mounted sequential gearshift."

The car, which can reach top speeds of up to 275kph, is powered by a 370 bhp, 3.5l 24-valve V6 engine, and is equipped with "ship to shore" radio, electronic-display steering wheels and data acquisition. All cars will use Michelin Radial tires.

The provisional calendar for the inaugural Formula V6 Asia by Renault season will be comprised of 12 rounds at six venues, beginning at Malaysia’s state-of-the-art Sepang International Circuit on April 15-16.

From there, the series will form part of the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) weekend at South Korean’s new race facility at Ansan on May 13-14, before returning to Sepang for a further two rounds on June 24-25.

The second of the three AFOS events the series will join is Indonesia’s Sentul Circuit on July 22-23, followed by two rounds at Zhuhai International Circuit on Aug. 12-13. The final two rounds will be held as part of the AFOS weekend at a second track in Taichung, Taiwan on Oct. 21-22.

Formula V6 Asia by Renault will be televised globally, live and delayed, and will be supported by a comprehensive promotional and media campaign.

The single-make racing format, limited number of set-up parameters for both suspension and aerodynamics, plus sealed components which include the engine, engine control unit, gearbox control unit and shock absorbers, will guarantee sporting equality.

In addition to developing driver performance, the Formula V6 Asia by Renault concept is designed to improve the skills of team engineers and mechanics here in Asia. Workshops are planned for the start of the season in conjunction with the series’ technical partners which include established names in the world of international motorsport such as Tatuus, LRM, Magneti Marelli, Sadev, Carbone Industrie, and Michelin Ohlins.

A key element of Formula V6 Asia by Renault is minimized costs, with only one engine rebuild per year and technical and sporting regulations that limit the number of tests.

Renault Sport has developed a complete range of race car categories from karting all the way through to Formula One, and is the world’s leading manufacturer of single-seater race cars having sold almost 700 Formula Renault 2.0 race cars.

Its driver development program is recognized as the most efficient way for drivers to move up to Formula One and Champ Car, following in the footsteps of former graduates Alain Prost, Jean Alési, Patrick Tambay, Felipe Massa, Kimi Raïkkonnen, and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Motorsport Asia, the company behind the highly successful AFOS racing weekends which include the Asian Touring Car Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and Formula BMW Asia, is the region’s leading motorsport outfit.

The new partnership will combine Renault’s impressive motor racing pedigree with Motorsport Asia’s regional know-how and experience.