Nabil Jeffri – Youngest F1 Test Driver
Formula One has broken yet another record with 16 year-old Nabil Jeffri of Malaysia, who is now the youngest official test driver of F1 racing. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, the member of the AirAsia ASEAN driver development programme spent a day with Lotus Racing, pit-stop practicing and aero testing at the Imperial War Museum runway at Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England. The teenager sought inspiration from mentors Jarno Trulli, Fairuz Fauzy, and Heikki Kovalainen, who gave the rookie advice on how to handle the incredible speed and capability of the car.
“I have to admit that the first time I went out it was pretty scary,” remarked a candid Jeffri, according to www.formula1.com. “Everyone told me the acceleration would be unbelievable, and the braking would be so much greater than anything I’ve ever experienced [...] but Heikki and Fairuz gave me some advice on how to settle in to it, and after a while I was able to get through the day’s plan.”
Jeffri’s execution of test procedures, once the youth felt more comfortable in his racing shoes, were praised by Kovalainen. “He did a great job today,” observed the Finn. “He quickly picked up the correct procedures, and was working well with the whole team, which is pretty awesome when you think we’ve got the proper race team here today which could have been a bit daunting. It’s also great to see Lotus Racing investing in young talent, and we’re showing that the ladder to success in F1 is there for anyone, wherever they are in the world, which is pretty cool, however you look at it.” And indeed it was a privilege felt through and through for the youngster, who called it “an honour,” to race the car, and pledged to “[work] hard to one day join Heikki, Fairuz, Jarno and the rest of the F1 grid.”
Jeffri’s test drive is yet another milestone to add to his already impressive record; the driver is currently placed fifth in the Asian Formula BMW Pacific Series, and is on his way to possibly beating 19 year-old Jaime Alguersuari who debuted for Toro Rosso at the Hungarian Grand Prix last year as youngest driver. And indeed team principal Tony Fernandes is optimistic in the young driver’s potential: “He’s repaid my faith in him and has performed incredibly well, and that’s a source of real pride for me as he proves what I’ve always believed – keep dreaming, work hard to achieve what other people tell you is impossible, and your dreams will come true.”
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