Wheels have always captivated Anis Akbar, a promising 15-year-old Dubai racing driver. Whether it’s the fighter jets accelerating on the runway before takeoff or the roaring Formula One cars, the Singaporean teenager is endlessly enthusiastic about the fast-paced life. However, Anis also possesses a mature mindset, keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite achieving podium finishes in competitions against highly experienced drivers in Dubai and Singapore.
It’s been just two years since the self-taught driver began racing, yet he secured a podium spot with the Red Rabbit Racers team at the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship last year, followed by another medal-winning performance at the Sodi World Series (SWS) in Singapore earlier this year. “I was the youngest endurance racer at the event in Dubai, competing at the age of 14 alongside international professional teams and racers,” Anis shared with the Khaleej Times. “In Singapore, despite limited practice, I achieved a P5 finish. I was the youngest racer in my category, competing against seasoned Asian Karting champions.”
Motivated by this success, Anis has now set his sights on racing in F4, an open-wheel category for young drivers. “Now my main goal is to reach Formula 4, but of course, F1 remains the ultimate goal in my life,” he stated. Anis’ journey began with his Singaporean mother and Pakistani father, whose family relocated to Dubai nearly 50 years ago. “There is a strong sporting culture in my family. My parents are not professional athletes, but they engage in various sports activities, and my older brothers play football,” he explained. However, the biggest inspiration came from his school friends.
“I used to do karting with my Emirati friends, and I enjoyed it so much that I started doing it more frequently, eventually realizing that motorsport is my future,” he said. “Also, my passion for racing grew stronger through bonding with my Emirati friends at school. I think in Emirati culture, they really appreciate cars and engines. Thanks to them, I developed a passion for cars and racing.” Once Anis made motor racing his primary goal, his parents fully supported him.
The young driver expressed immense gratitude to his parents for their unwavering support at the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship. “My parents have made countless sacrifices that I am deeply thankful for. They were at the track late into the night for me during endurance races and then back at work the next morning,” he recalled. “That’s what I truly appreciate. It’s not just the financial support they have provided, but their presence at every race that has given me so much strength.”
Anis’ journey as a young racing driver has not been without challenges. “The racing culture is a mix of good and not-so-good. Sometimes there are very arrogant and rude people when you ask them for help as a developing driver; they won’t entertain you, sometimes they would drive very aggressively against you on track,” he said matter-of-factly. “On the other hand, I have met many supportive people. There is one guy named Dario, who always supported me on and off the track. “And there is another guy named Daniel — he helped me get the suit so I can race and be more comfortable. You never forget these things, your first racing gear, your first racing suit, they always hold the biggest memories!”
How does someone so young handle the not-so-friendly drivers on the track? “My mother always taught me that when you are surrounded by negative people, just ignore them,” he said. “Entertaining them will just fuel the negative energy. I just ignore them and that has helped me focus on my objectives.” Anis believes he is on track to realizing his F1 dream.
“If everything goes smoothly and if I am surrounded by the right people and the right team, I would like to participate in a few F4 championships, not to win it, just to gain the experience,” said Anis, who draws inspiration from Fernando Alonso’s never-say-die spirit. “It will require a lot of training, both mental and physical, because 10 years from now, I want to see myself racing a Formula One car.“And if that dream comes true, I won’t be racing for a long time. I would, of course, love to win a few championships. But once I retire, I would love to be the team principal or a race engineer. I have always been fascinated by the role they play in Formula One.”
