Abu Dhabi – Maranello, 18th October 2022: – One month ahead of Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, UAE’s international karting champion Rashid Al Dhaheri, has become the first Arab driver to reach the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Scouting World Finals.
The 2022 edition of the FDA Scouting World Finals is the pinnacle for all young race drivers, with the last stage taking place at Ferrari’s headquarters in Via Enzo Ferrari at Maranello, Italy.
The winner of the Scouting World Finals will join the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy, the world’s oldest and most well-known Formula 1 academy. Drivers who have come through the academy include latest superstar, the never forgotten Jules Bianchi, Charles Leclerc, but also Sergio Perez, Mick Schumacher, Lance Stroll, and Guanyu Zhou.
Rashid will spend the last week of October with five other young contenders at the Scuderia Ferrari, the division of Ferrari’s automobile company concerned with racing. He will be analyzed, checked, and assessed by numerous Ferrari specialists in a series of tests to evaluate his physical and attitudinal abilities as well as his mental suitability for a rigorous life in racing, both on and off track.
The young Emirati champion, Rashid Al Dhaheri, will also tackle simulator sessions and take part in tests at the famous Fiorano track – Ferrari’s home racetrack – at the wheel of a Formula 4 racing car. At the end of the week the Ferrari experts will decide who will be allowed to join FDA and start a tough program which has one goal: racing for the Prancing Horse in Formula 1.
Rashid’s outstanding international racing career, winning multiple Karting Championships in several engine classes, has led to this amazing opportunity and is a boost for all Arab youth. It confirms the potential of the region, and that hard work, dedication and passion can make your dreams come true. Everything is possible!
About Rashid Al Dhaheri
Rashid Al Dhaheri’s passion for motorsports started from a very young age, growing up just 10 minutes away from Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, which ignited his passion. After some practice sessions, he attended a karting summer camp in Italy organized by the Italian Karting & Motorsport Federation (ACI-CSAI). Here he immediately demonstrated an aptitude for racing and considerable natural talent.
Rashid has rapidly developed into a young karting racing star who continuously achieves a string of firsts for the Arab world. In March 2019, the young Emirati became the first person from both the Middle East and Asia to became champion of the World Series. He won the championship with a big margin and became the first Mini driver to win three out of four races in the last seven years. Rashid added to this the prestigious WSK Euro Series Championship and won in 2021 another double Championship in the World Series Champions Cup and the World Series Super Series in the fiercly fought OK-Junior category, apart from winning the world’s greatest karting race in Macao.