Singapore teen drivers Christian Ho, Kabir Anurag target F1 spots within 5 years

SINGAPORE: Two of the nation’s brightest motor racing talents are dreaming big and aiming to race in Formula 1 within the next five years.

Christian Ho and Kabir Anurag, both 17, had career boosts in the motorsport scene this year.

Christian recently made history by becoming the first Singaporean to secure a spot in Formula 3, a feeder race series two tiers below F1 for top talents to break into the elite.

Kabir is the first Singaporean to join an F1 team's driver development programme, which nurtures young talents.

CNA caught up with the teenagers ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix night race to find out how they are juggling school work with racing, their F1 ambitions, and their upcoming national service (NS).

Next season, Christian will hit the tracks in F3 racing. Details on which team Christian is joining will be announced at a later date.

He hopes to follow in the footsteps of famous F3 drivers who ultimately progressed to F1, including Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen.

Christian said that his road to success looks much clearer now, but acknowledges the tough challenges that lie ahead.

"When I was karting earlier on, there was not really a clear path. (Now,) it is really inspiring and satisfying for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm only two steps away from F1, and I am more motivated to try and win,” he said.

"(However,) the competition (in F3) is so high. Basically, everybody there is really (among) the best drivers in the world. It will be really hard for me to make it, and I know how hard I have to work to become one of the best.”

Currently, Christian is competing in the Eurocup 3 series with Campos Racing. He is second in the standings out of 32 drivers after six rounds, with three race wins and six