adminSports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S promising young motor racing driver Axcil Jefferies’ hopes to compete in the GP2 this year hang in the balance as he is yet to find sponsorship.Jefferies wants to race in GP2 this year and Trident Racing Team of Italy have expressed interest to have him compete under their team but they can only draft him when he gets sponsorship.
Jefferies and his father Suhail, who is also his manager, were in the country last month and met Vice President Joice Mujuru and Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, who pledged their support for the young driver.
Kanengoni-Malinga said they were going to engage various stakeholders to try and find sponsorship for Jefferies but time is running out with Thursday being the deadline for him to be drafted in the team — that is if he gets sponsorship.
Speaking to The Herald yesterday, Kanengoni-Malinga said they were still waiting for response from the companies they approached.
“We have sent out letters to certain companies and we are still waiting for their response. We have been given up to the 15th of March,” said Kanengoni-Malinga
Asked how much they have raised towards Jefferies’ sponsorship, the deputy minister could not comment.
“I can’t comment on that. Like I said we have sent letters to companies. Obviously they have to speak to their boards to see how much they can contribute,” Kanengoni-Malinga.
Jefferies is currently in Abu Dhabi for a drive test in preparation for this year’s Formula Two season.
The upcoming driver was initially expected to do his drive testing for three days but his stay was reduced to one-and-half days because the team he is supposed to race for this season, Team Trident, are not sure if he will raise the sponsorship in time.
The season gets underway this month with the actual races starting in April.
Jefferies is scheduled to compete in 11 events, of which eight will be in Europe, and three will be in Asia and the Middle East.
He has since moved his base from the United States to Italy.
Online Reporter