Basil Shaaban said today that he firmly believes he has the ability to become the Arab world’s first Formula One driver.
Shaaban, who is in his second season in the F3 Euro Series, says he could be ready to step up to Formula One by the time Abu Dhabi makes its debut in the World Championship towards the end of next year.
The Lebanese driver, who grew up in the UAE capital dreaming of becoming one of the world’s best racing drivers, says his credentials make him the leading Middle East candidate for a place in Formula One, and he wants the chance to inspire other Arabs to follow him.
Shaaban, who is on a short visit to the UAE, was encouraged when prominent motor sport figure David Richards said recently that there is no logical reason why the Middle East will not soon have its own top Formula One driver.
Richards, former team principal of the BAR and Benetton Formula One teams, said at a motor sports business conference in Bahrain that, with a population of 200 million, the region should be able to produce another Michael Schumacher.
“David Richards is a very well respected figure in motor sport, and I’m hoping that influential people in the Middle East who want the best for the sport here will have taken note of what he said,” said Shaaban.
“We now have top class circuits in the region, and with Abu Dhabi following Bahrain into the Formula One World Championship next year the logical next step after that is for the Middle East to have its own drivers at the top level.
Added Shaaban: “Obviously, I’m not the only Arab driver aiming for Formula One. But I’m well into my second season in the world’s most competitive Formula Three series and I believe I’m the most advanced Arab driver on the ladder to F1. I’m fighting and beating some of the best up and coming drivers in the world, and if anyone is to get a chance to step up, I think I deserve it. If I get the chance, I’d like to pave the way for other Arab drivers to follow.”
Shaaban, given his chance in the tough F3 Euro Series by a Shell sponsorship deal, is now seeking additional financial support, or a place in a Formula One development programme, to take him to the top level. “I’m very grateful to Shell for their vision and the support they’re giving me for the F3 Euro Series and beyond,” he said. “But to be groomed for F1 you need a comprehensive, year-round, fully-financed development programme.
“Not having this has meant that I’ve not been able to have intensive test sessions before the start and during the season, so I’m way behind other drivers in terms of the time I’ve had behind the wheel. It’s frustrating because I know I have the ability to be up there with the best. If I can find extra backing, or win a place in a development programme with an F1 team, I believe I could prove within the next couple of years that I have what it takes to be a competitive F1 driver.”
Shaaban, whose next outing in his Shell Dallara Mercedes will be in the F3 Euro Series at the Norisring in Germany later this month, plans to compete in the GP2 Asia Series this winter. This is the Asian counterpart of the GP2 series, the official F1 support championship won by Lewis Hamilton in 2006. It will allow Shaaban to display his talents closer to home as it includes a round in Dubai and another in support of the 2009 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.
