Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
As the rest of the motor sports world gets into Formula One groove, I have decided to demote myself and concentrate on Formula 3 instead.
No, I’m not undermining Formula One which has already whipped up enough excitement with new star on the horizon Lewis Hamilton finishing third on debut in Melbourne. Also, the prospects of a great rivalry between a resurgent Ferrari and a rejuvenated McLaren can be irresistible.
At another level, the new F1 season with just one race down and 16 more to go, spread over seven months, is already promising infinite possibilities: we may well have F1’s first black champion or even a rookie driver may win the championship. Even more exciting is the possibility of seeing Fernando Alonso achieve a remarkable double: complete a rare hat-trick and also win the driver’s title with a different team.
All that, however, will be secondary to me as I’m keen on seeing history being made, so to say. Hamad Al Fardan’s entry into Formula Three is of such significance in Bahrain’s drive to find a Formula One driver of their own.
I spoke to the 20-year-old Bahrain youngster last week soon after he returned home following a gruelling month of testing in England, both on and off the field. It was difficult times for Hamad and his father Ahmed, a former Bahrain rally driver.
Hamad was proving his talent on the track, clocking faster times than his more reputed and recognised counterparts, but off the field it was not smooth going. The money involved to secure his future in F3 was too huge for his present sponsors, and there were no new ones coming.
“We are still trying to sort it out,” said a disheartened Ahmed. “Hamad is kept out of it and asked to just concentrate on his tests.”
The fatherly concern, pain, and helplessness were evident, and all my efforts to cheer him up were in vain. A couple of days later another phone call, and this time Ahmed was on a different planet: the all-important sponsorship was found, Hamad’s F3 future sealed, and the dream of seeing a Bahrain F1 driver on the BIC track, if not on the BIC podium yet, was getting closer to becoming a reality.
Soon Hamad left for Mecca for thanks giving and the Fardan family had a quiet celebration.
Formula 3 is absolutely vital for Hamad in his bid to become Bahrain and Middle East’s first Formula One driver. It is the final step, according to BIC general manager and a firm fan of Hamad, Martin Whitaker. It is like finishing school to future Formula One drivers.
Four past F3 champions have won 10 F1 titles between them: Emerson Fittipaldi (’72, Lotus-Ford, ’74 McLaren-Ford); Nelson Piquet (’81, Brabham-BMW/Ford; 83, Brabham-BMW; 87 Williams-Honda), Aryton Senna (88, 90, 91 McLaren-Mercedes) and Mika Hakkinen (98-99; McLaren-Mercedes).
Can Hamad join this illustrious list?
Having seen Hamad move up rung by rung, watched him grow and mature, and admired his dedication and true talent, my reply is a definite yes.
Whitaker too agrees. “Hamad is a very talented youngster. He not only has pace, but a lot of patience. He has a very cool head on a young shoulder. This is one quality which can take him far. All that he needs now is good management both in and out of the car,” Whitaker told me as I broke the news of Hamad’s F3 deal.
“I have watched this lad closely for some time now. I was in Shanghai when Hamad made one of the best starts in a BMW race. The last I saw him was during the 24-hour race at the BIC. He looked transformed and I could clearly see in him a future F1 driver,” added Whitaker.
Hamad himself is cautiously confident. “I always dreamed of F1 and by entering F3 I think I am getting closer to my goal,” he said. “But there is still a lot of work to be done, a lot of lessons to be learnt and quite a number of bridges to be crossed,” the 20-year-old warned.
The F3 calendar is quite a gruelling one with 22 races (two races on each race day) spread over six months and four countries (Great Britain, Italy, Romania and Belgium). Hamad will be representing Performance Racing with the first two races set for April 9 at Oulton Park, England.
“It is more frantic than BMW Asia or the Toyota series. The first time I drove a F3 car, I found the corners coming at a furious pace,” recalled Hamad. “But after a couple of days I could settle down. Now I enjoy driving a F3 car and am looking forward to the new season.”
Hamad is aware of the weight of expectations which has doubled with the Middle East getting to host two F1 races from 2009. “I’m reminded of it almost every day. But it’s not affecting me too much. I know I can do it. I’m willing to work very hard and sacrifice everything in realising this dream,” he said.
As we parted, I remembered reading somewhere that racing is a matter of spirit not strength. And Hamad seems to be proving it right.
All the best, Hamad.
The F3 party
Vijay Mruthyunjaya
