Bahraini karting kid Tariq Soofi lived every aspiring racer’s dream during the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix as some of the sport’s greats steered him towards the fast track to racing success with their words of wisdom, reports Mai Al-Khatib Camille.
During the three-days of thrilling action at the Bahrain International Circuit, the seven-year-old Nadeen School student toured the paddocks with his parents Yousif, a banker, and Basma Kazerooni, a behavioural therapist, rubbing elbows with F1 drivers in a bid to soak up knowledge on developing his future racing career.
“This year has been amazing,” said the NorthSar Racing team driver. “I met and took pictures with so many F1 drivers and most of them signed my helmet too. Some even gave their time to sit with me and give me inspirational advice on how to be successful in this sport. My dream is to be an F1 racer with Red Bull like Max Verstappen.”
Soofi met with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Alpine F1’s Fernando Alonso.
According to his mum, Norris wished Soofi the best on his journey and reminded him to have fun while doing his best…as did Yuki. Stroll also lent him his ear but it was Leclerc’s meet after his Bahrain victory that got through to him.
“Leclerc, who won the Bahrain Grand Prix, really took the time to talk to him which was lovely to see,” said Kazerooni. “He told him to always listen to his mommy and daddy, to take care of his little sister Maria and to do his best in school. He also told him to never give up on something you are passionate about and he has been passionate about motorsport from a very young age.”
Racing must be in his blood as he learned about cars from his dad and is following in his mum’s footsteps when she was a part of motorsport legend Walter Lechner’s Lechner Porsche Racing project in the Middle East.
“It was around 17 years ago I believe when Lechner, God rest his soul, tried to form a women’s racing car team in the Middle East. However, it was not successful because not many women joined at the time. Soofi still likes hearing my story though.”
Kazerooni added that they are very proud of how well he is doing with NorthStar and they believe that this meet and greet with the drivers has already made an imprint in his life.
“These drivers didn’t just give our little boy passion and drive but also hope and inspiration,” said Kazerooni. “After F1 weekend, he turned to us and said that one day he will be an F1 racer, I will be his manager and he will be signing other people’s helmets. We understood though that what he meant was that he will do the same as the F1 drivers did for him and it made us so happy. These F1 drivers were excellent role models and gave him some good advice on how to treat others when he becomes an F1 racer himself.”
Soofi practices around four times a week with his teammates under the guidance of two coaches. He started karting at the age of six and was gifted his own kart at his seventh birthday.
“As a behavioural therapist, I encourage children to start karting at a young age,” said Kazerooni. “All day long these kids are told what to do and what not to do, which is why most boys get addicted to PlayStation because it is the only time they can have that freedom for their mind.
“I did not want a Playstation in my house, which is why I introduced him to karting. Even though my son was doing other sports, but with karting, he is different. When he races, I can see his mind being free like he is flying in the sky. What I gave him is a real life PlayStation.”
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