Dubai-based racing talent targets F1 goals after ‘milestone’ Alpine move

DUBAI: A young UAE motorsport driver hopes his move to Alpine Academy can help him achieve his goal of racing in Formula 1 in the future.

Dubai-based Keanu Al-Azhari, 17, recently joined F1’s Alpine Academy and will race for Hitech GP in the GB3 Championship this year after two seasons in Formula 4.

He praised Dubai Autodrome, a subsidiary of Union Properties, for its role in his sporting development.

Al-Azhari described his move to Alpine Academy as a “milestone” achievement, especially as he comes from a racing family. The 17-year-old is now looking forward to the latest chapter in his racing journey, hoping it can eventually lead to a seat in the pinnacle of motorsport — Formula 1.

“Joining Alpine is a big milestone in my career and a reflection of all the hard work that I have put in,” he said. “I’m really proud to be part of the Alpine family, and they will help develop me during my junior single-seater career. Hopefully, this move will be another step toward reaching my career goal of reaching F1 one day, as that is my dream. It’s going to be a tough few years, but I am ready to show everyone what I have now.”

Al-Azhari has made an impressive start to his motorsport career. Last year, he secured four wins, nine podiums and five pole positions, finishing runner-up in the Formula 4 Spanish Championship, while in the Formula 4 UAE Championship in the same year, he earned two wins, five podiums and four pole positions to secure third place overall.

Before getting behind the wheel, he came through the ranks in karting at Dubai Kartdrome, where he was part of its DAKA program, and raced in some prominent competitions, including the IAME Series UAE.

His fond memories of the venue came at a very early age, having