Baguio racing driver Iñigo Anton is heading to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit this October with a singular goal: catching the eye of global motorsport scouts.
As the sole Filipino competing in the Formula Trophy Malaysia support race during the return of Formula One to Sepang, Anton views the high-profile weekend as a critical audition for the next tier of international racing.
“There are a lot of teams that are scouting people, looking at who are the next potential drivers for their teams,” Anton said during a media briefing at Sizzling Plate in Baguio. “It may not only be in Formula One, but as well as different manufacturers could also see the performance that weekend and could potentially pick me up.”
For Anton, the F1 weekend support race serves as a major showcase for rising talents, which is expected to draw massive trackside crowds and a global audience and the unprecedented exposure brings immense weight to his performance.
“This race will be the hardest, and it comes true once again, and this is going to be the biggest race of my life and of my racing career,” Anton said. “I try not to think about the pressure, but it is definitely one of the most pressuring things that I’ll be doing. But I know with this pressure comes the focus and the mindset that I have to perform at my best, be at my best, and I cannot leave any stone unturned.”
To prepare for Sepang’s demanding 5.543-kilometer layout, Anton is undergoing rigorous physical and mental training. He is sharpening his craft under the guidance of his father and coach, Carlos Anton, and Alex Yoong, a motorsport veteran and Malaysia’s only former Formula One driver.
Despite the career-making stakes, Anton is determined to rely on his established routines.
“I know that there’s a lot at stake during this race, but I’ll treat it like every other race that I do,” he said. “I know that the preparation is the most important thing, being in the right mindset, and having that physical and mental capability to perform at high-pressure moments. So it is going to be very scary, but at the same time, I’m prepared for it,” he added.
Carlos Anton emphasized his son’s technical readiness, noting he has the pace and discipline to race alongside the world’s best. Race manager Karen Anton called the upcoming event a milestone for Philippine motorsport, noting that having a local driver fly the national flag on this grand stage is a testament to years of grit.
Anton’s campaign is backed by longtime team partners Motul, Alpinestars, Yokohama, Axle Sports, Blu Coffee Distributors, Time Master Watches and Infiniteserv Int’l Corporation. Roderick Osis
