Why did you want to become a racing driver?
It was the feeling of driving a racing kart when I was a teenager that made me fall in love with circuit driving and formula racing. Then when I began to race karts alongside my university studies in California, my passion grew further and when I started winning, the prospect of becoming a professional driver took shape.
Tell us about Shaaban2F1?
Shaaban2F1 is my talent development plan in the established F1 ladder championships. From my research and experiences, it was clear that if you have a real talent you have to put yourself in the most competitive environment each step of the way to maximise your learning and potential. F3 is a key learning basis for F1, and almost all the best F1 drivers of the past 30 years have come through F3. Therefore I chose the world’s pinnacle F3 championship, the F3 Euro Series, to start my final development followed possibly by the GP2 Series which is the official F1 feeder series.
What stage of it are you at now?
I am about to start my second season in the F3 Euro Series. Depending on my progress we will decide what the next step forward will be.
Do you feel that you are close to breaking into Formula 1?
I am confident, and if I keep developing in the manner I have been thus far it really could happen. All I know for sure is that I’m trying to be on the best possible path to make the most of the opportunity should and when it arise.
What sacrifices have you had to make along the way?
My mission to reach F1 of course required compromises, such as time spent away from my studies in university, my hectic travel schedule, reduced social-time and a uniquely disciplined lifestyle. But I wouldn’t call these sacrifices as such. I see it as a blessing that I was given this opportunity to pursue my dream, and I’m happy to do whatever it takes to make the most of it.
Was it a tough decision to relocate to the UK?
I am based in Europe to reduce the jetlag and travel-time to reach the European circuits where we do all our testing and racing. As I drive all over Europe, anywhere with good airport access is suitable and I am still in the UK where A1GP and Team Lebanon were both based when I started racing in that series in 2005.
Why is sponsorship important?
Sponsorship is what fuels every sport that carries costs, and motorsport being one of the most expensive is no exception. There are so many ways that the sponsor profits from the investment. There is the power of activating the sponsorship to bring excitement to key clients and stakeholders, employees and their families, as well as to the consumer. There is the potential to utlilse the sponsorship to do proactive social work, such as the Middle East Road Safety Campaign I am leading in partnership with Shell.
What would it mean to you to be able to race in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009?
Above the sense of fulfilment and joy of racing in F1 to begin with, it would be difficult to describe the emotions of racing at Abu Dhabi F1 2009, in the city where my personality was formed, and where my love of automobiles was born leading to my pursuit to reach F1. It would simply be awesome.
Do you ever think you won’t make it to Formula 1?
It is not an easy goal to achieve so naturally I sometimes wonder about the outcome. But life is not about living in the future or the past, it is about having courage and making the most of now, and ‘the now’ whispers to keep giving it everything I have.
Is it easy to be a famous racing driver in the UAE?
Not a lot of people know what I look like and I am actually more often recognised as looking like Michael Scottfield from Prison Break.
Do local bodies support you?
On a personal human level I get support from most everyone I come in touch with. Also, 14-time Middle East Rally Champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem has honoured me with his public endorsement of my career and mission. But I have not been successful yet in getting official or financial support from any UAEbased body, even if I was raised in the UAE.
What, or who, would you attribute your success to?
I still have a way to go yet. My success thus far is attributed to so many things, mainly to all the people who assisted and worked with me on my journey. Starting with Mama and Baba, who gave me the mind and heart to do what I am in doing in the way I am doing it. Then there are all of the sponsors that supported me, particularly Shell who believe in me and in Shaaban2F1. Then there are all the racing teams that taught me and helped me develop and win races, since the team’s performance is fundamental to a driver’s success at every level. And my education, my upbringing, gave me the qualities to be who I am, where I am now.
What advice would you give to people looking to follow your footsteps?
Give it everything you have, dedicate yourself fully to it and don’t leave anything in reserve. And know that failing well is the key to success.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Thomas Edison went through over 1,000 filament and bulb combinations before finally coming across one that worked. I think it was he who said ‘Success is 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration’, and just look where his perseverance in creating the light-bulb has taken mankind. So never give up if you believe in something that will be positive for you and others.
