Driven to succeed

When David Richards, the man who brought motorsport to the Middle East, recently said the Arab World had the capacity to produce the next Michael Schumacher, one driver was indeed truly encouraged.

For Basil Shaaban, born in Lebanon but raised in Abu Dhabi and currently competing in Formula Three – two levels below Formula One – believes he is in pole position to make the grade and lead the way for more Middle East involvement in motorsport.

"It is my second full year in F3 Euro Series," says Shaaban. "Last year I learned a lot and this year it's starting to show and I'm making big steps forward in terms of competitiveness.

"The way things have been improving, I believe I should be testing F1 cars by the end of next year, and within the next two to three years Formula One racing is something that should happen."

In terms of Shaaban's road map, the next stop from F3 is the GP2 Series and the 28-year old has revealed he is in talks to do exactly that. However, a lack of sponsorship may cause some unnecessary bumps in the driver's planned F1 journey.

"I have had discussions with teams to race in GP2, particularly in GP2 Asia," says Shaaban. "This though, is pending the right levels of sponsors.

"The fundamental thing is that I have proved time and time again that I have the talent, determination, physical fitness, intelligence; I have everything required as a base, but the thing I'm lacking is a comprehensive year-round programme of training and racing in order to push me as fully as possible to develop my natural talent into actual skill.

"That is where I have struggled for years, luckily I have got some backing from my sponsors Shell but to get a year-long programme like other top F1 drivers and to get to work with driver coaches and have physical fitness trainers – this is stuff I'm doing on my own because of budget constraints.

"So it is really a matter of putting together a strong financial package for the next two to three years so I can become a top-level driver."

The GP2 Asia Series is held throughout Asia and the Middle East with two rounds taking place here in Dubai, and Shaaban says one of the things he is focusing on is finding sponsors from the region to partner him in the competition.

"They will get a chance to promote and display themselves in the Middle East because we will be racing live in front of a Middle East audience," says Shaaban.

"It makes sense for any company that wants to show support of Arab talent and developing Arab capability, instead of always importing expertise.

"We have to add to our infrastructure development and start investing in human development in the Middle East and this is a great opportunity to get an Arab to the top levels of such a technologically advanced sport."

The HBR Motorsport driver continues: "We now have top-class circuits in the region, and with Abu Dhabi following Bahrain into the Formula One World Championship next year, the Middle East really must have its own drivers at the top level.

"If we want to be the powerhouses of the motorsports industry, then we need to develop Arab engineers, mechanics and this shouldn't be limited to the UAE, but the whole Middle East should get involved.

"Obviously the UAE is a big melting pot for all types of Arab people and there needs to be a broad campaign to get Arab talent on an international level."

Shaaban continues his Formula Three Euro Series campaign this weekend in the fourth round at Norisring, Germany.

"I'm doing my best to prepare myself as well as possible. It's a natural process, which will determine how I continue to improve and how my skills get even better. I want to enter F1 thoroughly prepared and want to be competitive and not just participate."