For over a decade now, Formula 1 and motorsport has been growing its presence across the MENA region but the quest to find the first Arabian superstar has been largely fruitless. Now though, that could all be about to change with 18-year-old Moroccan driver Michael Benyahia making his name in junior categories that have produced the biggest names in the game.
Competing in Formula 4 in France since 2014, Benyahia made the next step up to the Formula Renault 2.0 series in 2016 and would go on to become champion a year later. In addition to his racing, Michael has also earned a key role as the development driver with the Venturi Formula E team helping to test new parts and technology for a car that is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicles and will take to the streets of Marrakesh and Riyadh next season.
The aim for the future remains clear, however, as Benyahia explained.
“Formula 1 has always been the goal since I started racing in karting and I have worked hard to develop my skills and show what I can achieve in open-wheel formulas,” he said.
“Winning the Formula Renault 2.0 championship last year gave me a lot of confidence and I proved I can beat the best young drivers in Europe but I know that the road is still long and it is getting harder and harder.”
Looking ahead, Michael is aiming to move up into the European F3 category in 2019 and to increase those chances he is targeting support from public and private parties in Morocco and the Arab World through sponsorship.
“Success there could well be the launch pad for his motorsport career as he follows in the footsteps of many of the greatest drivers in motorsport history with past champions including Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Esteban Ocon and Jules Bianchi.
“Now I look forward to race in the most challenging single-seater series in Europe well aware that if I can produce the results I know I am capable of this could be the most important year of my life,” Benyahia continued.
Formula 2 would sit as the final hurdle to reaching F1 but the teenager knows how important it would be not just for himself but for the MENA region if he could reach his goal.
“I will be working hard to raise the name of Morocco and the Arab world in motorsport,” Michael said.
“To be the first driver to reach the top would be a great honor and I will not stop pushing in my bid to achieve it.”