This 16-year-old Emirati boy is Revving up to put UAE on Formula Racing map

Born and raised in the UAE, Rashid Al Dhaheri was captivated by racing at the age of three. The roar of F1 engines at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had him hooked, especially when he saw the Ferrari pit crew work their magic up close.

Coming from a family with no motorsport background, Al Dhaheri's journey as an underdog taught him the importance of trusting his gut.

He kicked off his motorsport career as a young child with a karting experience in the UAE in early 2013. That same year, he honed his skills in a training program in Italy before hitting the track for the opening round of the 2013-2014 UAE Championship at Al Ain Raceway, where he finished second. By the age of five, he was already a champion on the go-kart track.

He is known as 'Little Alonso', a nod to racing legend Fernando Alonso.

Rashid Al Dhaheri, UAE Junior Motorsports Championyoutu.be

From go-karting to F4

“Being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy World Finals at just 14 was a life-changing experience”

Year 2022 was a breakout year for Rashid. At just 14, he received an invitation to the prestigious 19th Supercorso Federale of the Italian Motorsport Federation. He also made history as the first Arab driver to reach the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Scouting World Finals.

These accomplishments paved the way for another milestone: PREMA Racing announced Rashid would join their team and make his single-seater debut in the competitive FIA F4 Italian Championship.

Rashid found himself learning from the industry's elite. This Ferrari program, designed to identify the world's most promising young racers, provided him with invaluable knowledge and a chance to showcase his own talent.

A closer look at my F4 car for the 2023 seasonyoutu.be

In 2023 Al Dhaheri witnessed an unstoppable momentum. He claimed a string of podium finishes, culminating in a historic victory at the legendary Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), forever etching his name in motorsport history. This triumph wasn't an isolated feat–he continued his streak of successes in Macau and Italy.

He participated in 13 race weekends in 2023. Despite being among the youngest on the grid, he achieved a podium finish at the Macau Grand Prix.

A rolling tribute to his homeland, Rashid's helmet boasts distinct elements from the UAE, like the flag, sand dunes, a falcon and other symbology.

Rashid Al Dhaheri presents his helmetyoutu.be

A mere 15 years old in February 2024, Al Dhaheri made history on home soil. He secured his maiden Formula 4 victory in the UAE F4 Championship, becoming the only Emirati driver on the grid to conquer the 2024 season thus far. This landmark achievement solidified his position as a rising star in motorsport.

“Winning the F4 race here at home was unbelievable. This win means so much to me, not just because it’s a big achievement, but because it happened at Yas Marina Circuit, the place that made me fall in love with racing 12 years ago,” he said in an interview, as reported by Wired.

Rashid recently clinched a podium finish and set the fastest lap at the Mugello Circuit in Italian F4, bringing to mind a memorable quote from the film Ford vs. Ferrari, where Ken Miles says:

“Look out there. Out there is the perfect lap. No mistakes. Every gear change, every corner. Perfect. You see it?”