MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Yas Heat Racing officially announced its driver line-up for the upcoming 2024/25 Formula 4 season this week, welcoming two rising stars: Adam Al Azhari and August Raber.
At just 15 years old, Adam is a name to watch in the world of motorsport. His journey began a decade ago when he first strapped into a go-kart at the age of five, igniting a passion for racing that would see him rise through the ranks of competitive motorsport.
In 2019, Al Azhari clinched the Micro Max Championship, and his dominance continued with a win at the 2024 IAME Middle East Cup, where he took the title of Senior Champion.
This year, Adam competed in the Spanish FIA Formula 4 Championship, earning points in one of the most competitive single-seater racing series. His precision, adaptability and determination have turned him into a contender in the Formula 4 UAE Championship.
As a new member of Yas Heat Racing, Adam is excited to represent the UAE in the Formula 4 Middle East Championship.
To prepare for the physical and mental demands of Formula 4 racing, the teen has been working hard in the gym and focusing on relaxation techniques, including swimming and simulator training.
What Adam enjoys most about racing is the sense of peace it brings him. "As soon as I jump in behind the wheel, I forget about everything. It's just me, the car and the track. It's an amazing feeling," he told Aletihad.
Despite the fierce competition ahead, Adam remains calm and focused behind the wheel. "I don't get scared. I really look forward to every race," he said.
Joining him in the Yas Heat Racing line-up is August Raber, a promising young driver who has proven himself on both the national and international karting circuits.
Also just 15 years old, his racing career began at the age of 10.
He raced in the UAE's Rotax and IAME championships, where he consistently reached the podium, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level.
August's transition into single-seater racing has been equally successful. In the British F4 Championship, he earned rookie podiums and top 10 finishes, demonstrating his potential in one of the most competitive junior racing series in the world.
With a blend of determination and technical skills, August is ready to show his mettle this season.
August also shares a love for racing with his new teammate, Adam, particularly the camaraderie of competing in wheel-to-wheel battles.
"The mutual respect between drivers is something I really enjoy," he told Aletihad. "It's great to race against others, knowing we all want to keep each other safe while going fast."
Representing the UAE through Yas Heat Racing is an opportunity that August relishes.
"It's a great honor to represent Yas Heat, one of the most prestigious academies in the world," he said. "I've raced under the UAE flag for the past two years, and I'm excited to continue that this season."
To stay in peak form, he combines his gym workouts with a passion for martial arts, along with simulator sessions to hone his skills and prepare for each race.
When asked about their strategy as they gear up for the upcoming season, both drivers shared the same goal: "to race as fast as possible".
Identifying Talent Using Advanced Tech
Yas Heat Racing strives to empower young drivers as part of its mission to cultivate world-class racers, ultimately reinforcing the UAE and Abu Dhabi's global reputation as a motorsport hub.
The Academy leverages cutting-edge technology to identify upcoming racing talent. This involves simulation and analytics tools adapted from Formula 1 methodologies to evaluate key performance indicators, such as cornering speeds and consistency.
By applying these insights, Yas Heat Racing has effectively selected two of the highest ranked drivers to represent the Abu Dhabi-based team; Adam and August.
In a statement made available to Aletihad, Francesca Pardini, Senior Specialist at Yas Heat, said: "Adam and August represent the future of motorsport, and we are thrilled they have joined the Yas Heat team. Their determination and achievements reflect the values of our programme, which has become a benchmark for nurturing young talent.
"With the guidance of our ambassadors and the development opportunities on offer for young racers here at Yas Marina Circuit, this team is set to achieve incredible milestones both on and off the track."
This driving duo will compete alongside Yas Heat's distinguished ambassadors, Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi, Rashid Al Dhaheri, and Yas Heat's Graduate and vice champion of the Spanish F4 Championship in 2024, Keanu Al Azhari.
Amna and Hamda have excelled while representing the UAE as the only Emiratis competing in F1 Academy.
Following two successful years in Italian F4 and F4 UAE, Rashid Al Dhaheri has taken the next step and will compete in the Formula Regional.