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PERSONALITY
Nabil Jeffri:
Going for the Win
Stephanie StaMaria
speaks to the youngest
test driver yet in Formula 1 history.
O
n
September 1, 2010
a Malaysian teenager
slid into a Lotus T127
on a runway in Dux-
ford, Cambridgeshire
and took it for a 1.5-ki-
lometer straight-line
aero test drive. In a matter of seconds,
he went down in Formula 1 history as
its youngest test driver yet.
It was yet another accomplishment in
Nabil Jeffri’s remarkable racing career.
After taking home three karting titles
between 2004 and 2009, his path crossed
with that of AirAsia and Lotus Racing
(now renamed Caterham) boss, Tony
Fernandes.
The entrepreneur recognised talent,
snapped him up and put him in the
driver’s seat of the Formula BMW Pacific
2010 where he placed 5th overall. Nabil
went on to win the F1 Malaysia GP
Support Race 2011 and raced under Team
Eurointernational for two years running.
Nabil is now one year away from his
goal of securing a Formula 1 drive at
21, after which he aims to follow in the
footsteps of his hero, Lewis Hamilton,
by clinching the world title at 23. His
next race will be at the German Formula
3 in April.
When did you know that racing was your
calling?
At 10-years-old and after spending two
potential sponsors.
You were the chief instructor of a nation-
wide talent searchprogramonkarting.
What didyou lookout for?
Attitude. I was taskedwith proving that the
formula I underwent could turn anyone
into a champion regardless of background.
In fact, I had already proved that by rising
from a kampong boy to a Malaysian and
Asian champion.
Howclose are you to reaching your dream
of aworld title at 23?
That was my target and it’s progressing as
planned. I will take it one step at a time.
You’ve likened your driving style to that of
Lewis Hamilton’s. Has your style evolved
since then?
Every year I get better and closer to what
I want to achieve, which is ultimately the
level of Formula 1 driving. I’m in the pro-
cess of learning and I’m doing everything
possible to speed up my learning. So far
I’m happy with my progress and I hope
2014 will be the year that I can show my
true potential in Formula 3.
What more can be done to attract young
talent into motorsports and what are you
personally doing towards that end in your
capacityasNational Youth Icon?
I have to be creative in engaging youths by
inviting them to my races, for instance. I
have also given talks to Youth Associations
and universities on the role of sports as a
platform for character building.
What does 2014hold for you?
The WIN!
years in karting. I was progressing well as
a racer and a student.
Did you ever dream of being a Formula 1
driver?
Yes. And a winnable Formula 1 Driver.
Whatwas it likedrivinga Formula 1 car?
Unbelievable and a huge learning curve.
By the end of the nine-hour session, I
was convinced that that was where I was
heading.
When Tony Fernandes spotted you, he
noted you had the “right character and
aptitude to go far”. What character and
aptitudedoes a racedriver need?
A good balance between being serious
and humble.
What has competitive racing taught you
about yourself?
That I have to learn to race against myself
and cultivate great mental strength.
What is the biggest myth about Formula
1 racing?
That Formula 1 drivers have fast reflexes.
This isn’t true. They are fast decision-
makers.
Howhas beingMalaysia’s youngest driver
worked toyour advantage?
I’m always sharing my 12-year experience
and this has given me better access to