UAE’s driver Rashid Al Dhaheri will start his second year in Formula 4 racing at home on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi between 12 and 14 January 2024.
Preparing for the first round, Al Dhaheri said: “The opening race will set the tone for an exciting season that will witness a guaranteed fierce competition between the finest drivers in the world who are all potential stars and future Formula One drivers.” He added: ”After my successful participation in the championship last season, I am looking forward to a strong start at home during the first race this week seeking to achieve two objectives this season. The first objective is to achieve more podiums and a higher ranking compared to the previous year and the second is to accumulate more experience on various circuits around the world that will help me shape my technical skills.”
Al Dhaheri will compete in a full-scale Formula 4 programme with PREMA team in 2024, including the Italian Formula 4 Championship and the Euro4 Championship. A successful season at this level will logically lead him to the Formula Regional or F3 in the near future, a must do stages before reaching Formula One, the ultimate racing platform.
The 15-year-old made his competitive debut in May last year, and scored excellent results finishing on the podium three times and winning in Sepang, Malaysia in the F4 South East Asian Championship.
Last season saw Al Dhaheri compete in 37 races, adding to it 45 testing days. As the youngest driver on the grid, Rashid’s achievements, including podium finishes and his presence in marquee events such as The Macau race, marks him as a very strong potential to watch for the future.
From F4 onwards it is an uphill battle towards the summit of the motorsport. Throughout last season Rashid faced strong competition from young drivers linked to junior development programs with the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes AMG, and McLaren. This showdown is expected to be the same and even more intense this season.
Rashid’s evolution as one of the leading young driving talents from the Gulf region has been synonymous with the growing interest in motorsport in the GCC that boasts four Grands Prix on the Formula 1 calendar for the foreseeable future.
Al Dhaheri will be competing this season in the F4 UAE Championship, F4 Italian Championship, Euro 4 Championship, Macau Grand Prix, in addition to the official test days.
Rashid Al Dhaheri Formula 4 Rookie Season Overview
F4 Italian Championship 2023 Season:
- Participation: Imola, Misano, Spa Francorchamps, Monza, Paul Ricard, Mugello, and Vallelunga.
- Overall Classification: P10 out of 50 drivers.
- Rookie Classification: P6, and five podium finishes.
Euro 4 Championship 2023 Season:
- Participation: Mugello, Monza, and Barcelona.
- Overall Classification: P12.
- Rookie Classification: P6, and one podium finish.
Other Notable Results:
Macau Grand Prix: P3 out of 23 drivers.
Abu Dhabi Trophy – the Yas Marina Circuit: P3 out of 14 drivers.
F4 South East Asian Championship-Sepang, Malaysia: P1 out of 17 drivers.