After an almost forgetable stint during the Round 1 of the Formula Trophy Malaysia at the F1 Bahrain support race, Inigo Anton bounce backed big time and captured a sensational victory in Round 2 last weekend held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Anton showcased his world-class talent as the lone Filipino on the grid delivered a masterclass in motorsport, sweeping the top of the timing sheets by going fastest in Practice, securing Pole Position in Qualifying, winning Race 1, and clocking the fastest lap of the entire weekend.
Racing for AXLE Sports—managed by former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong—Anton was coached this weekend by Alex’s son, racing driver Alister Yoong. Guided by Alister’s trackside strategy, Anton went head-to-head against a formidable grid of elite international drivers and factory-backed European academies.
Among the heavyweights were drivers from LN4 Fusion—the premier racing team co-founded by Formula 1 race winner Lando Norris—including highly-rated European karting champion Jesse Phillips and Williams Racing Junior Academy driver Oleksandr Bondarev. Also providing stiff competition was Xcel Motorsport’s Timo Jüngling.
Unfazed by the star-studded grid, Anton stamped his class early. He converted his brilliant pole position into a commanding victory in Race 1, finishing ahead of Jüngling and AXLE teammate Jaime Ambrose.
In Race 2, LN4 Fusion’s Jesse Phillips took the top step of the podium, followed by Chen Sicong and Rafael Vaessen, while Anton focused on maximizing points amidst the reversed grid dynamics.
Anton returned to the podium in Race 3, fighting hard to secure a stellar 2nd place finish just behind Jüngling, effectively accumulating the points needed to vault him to the very top of the championship standings.
“After a really heartbreaking Round 1, we knew we had to come back stronger,” said Anton, the 2025 Formula 4 Southeast Asia Rookie Champion. “The team worked tirelessly, and everything just fell perfectly into place this weekend. I kept the faith and God pulled me through. I want to give a massive thanks to Alex Yoong and the entire AXLE Sports team. They worked so hard to get to where we are now and I dedicate this win to the whole team.
Anton’s triumph at Sepang is not just a personal victory, but a monumental achievement for Philippine motorsport. By out-pacing drivers backed by F1 teams and global academies, Anton has proven that Filipino talent belongs at the absolute pinnacle of international racing.
Looking back at his journey to the top, Anton also took a moment to express his deepest gratitude to the foundational sponsors who started it all and made his entry into Formula 4 racing possible. He extends his heartfelt thanks to Charlie Ong of Infiniteserv, Motul, Alpinestars, Yokohama, Timemaster Watches, Blue Coffee Distributor, and AAP Motorsports for their unwavering belief and support.
As he leads the Formula Trophy Malaysia championship heading into the season finale, his management team is actively welcoming corporate partners and sponsors who wish to align with a proven, world-class Filipino champion on his journey to the top of global motorsport. Roderick Osis
