Driving the #81 Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Eurasia Motorsport, Red Diwa officially kicked off his 2025 TCR Asia Series campaign with a strong showing at the season opener. The lone Filipino on the grid immediately impressed, emerging as a Top 10 contender during his debut weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Backed by NanoMoly, Red got his first taste of the 5.451 km Formula 1 circuit during testing on Wednesday. He steadily improved over several sessions, building confidence to lower his time by more than a full second by Friday.
He pulled off a surprise in QTT1, slashing over two seconds off his previous best. A 2:12.976 lap put him 9th fastest—just 1.208 secs away from pole—and earned him a spot in QTT2. Another strong run saw him stay 9th, which secured a front-row start for Race 2 thanks to the reverse-grid format.
Red got a clean launch in Race 1 on Saturday, gaining a spot by the end of the opening lap. He made further progress after a Safety Car restart, moving up to P6 when two cars spun into the gravel. However, the closing stages turned into a fierce multi-car battle with Red fighting for position. In a dramatic final lap, Red was pushed wide and dropped back to 15th at the flag.
Race 2 on Sunday presented a new challenge. A downpour before the start forced the entire grid onto wet tires, setting the stage for a chaotic race. With no previous experience driving a TCR on wets or without ABS, Red sided with caution, focusing on staying out of trouble amid multiple incidents. Prioritizing survival in tricky conditions, he brought the car home safely in 11th to conclude his TCR Asia debut weekend.
Red will now have a month-long break before the 2025 TCR Asia Series resumes on June 6–8 at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. With valuable experience under his belt, he aims to return stronger and continue building momentum in his rookie season.
Red Diwa is sponsored by Nanomoly, TonCars, Oakley, and Mango Suites.
For more info and the latest updates, follow @red_diwa_ on Instagram and Precision Speed Racing on Facebook.
