SINGAPORE – More than 10,000km away from home, the wheels are in motion for 16-year-old Kabir Anurag to fulfil his dream of becoming Singapore’s first Formula One driver.

On April 15, Kabir became the first Singaporean to be recruited by Alpine F1 Team’s driver development programme – he is only the ninth addition to the racing team.

And this weekend, the teenager will flag off his first full Formula 4 season with the opening championship races in Misano, where 12 teams and 37 drivers from 25 nations will compete from May 3 to 5.

Other Singaporeans who have raced in F4 include Christian Ho and Rishab Jain.

F4 is the first step in the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) Global Pathway from karting to F1, with drivers typically progressing through F4, Formula Regional, Formula 3 and Formula 2.

Kabir, who also represents Germany’s US Racing, said in an Alpine press statement: “I am delighted to be joining the Alpine Academy for the 2024 season. It is an honour to have the support and trust of the BWT Alpine F1 Team and have the opportunity to work with the team’s driver development programme to progress in my career both on and off the track.

“I will be starting my rookie season in Italian Formula 4 and Euro 4 this year, and I am looking forward to showing what I can do in Alpine colours.”

Johnny Wong, chairman of Motor Sports Singapore’s Automobile and Mobility Commission, noted that Kabir is the first Singaporean to be part of any F1 team’s developmental team.

He said: “It not only requires a lot of determination from the driver and the financial support from the parents, but also the sacrifices they have undertaken to make it to this point.

“It would be a proud moment for the nation if we have a Singaporean F1 driver who makes it to the global stage.

“If Singapore has a designated motor sport park or racing circuit, I believe we will be able to discover and train more potential F1 drivers.”

For now, the Alpine Academy will provide Kabir with access to its state-of-the-art facilities in Enstone, Oxfordshire.

Making the announcement on their website, the Britain-based outfit confirmed he will also benefit from the guidance and support of both the academy’s staff and the wider F1 team.

A Singapore-born Indian national, Kabir and his parents became Singapore citizens in 2020.

He was hooked on the sport after watching a race when he was four, and decided that he wanted to become an F1 driver.

Backed by his parents, he relocated to Italy in 2022 with his coach and manager Pavan Ravishankar, a Singaporean former driver who competed in the British F3.

In Desenzano del Garda, Kabir is surrounded by a team of mechanics, engineers, physical trainers and sports psychologists as he juggles his training with online classes for his IGCSE – the equivalent of O levels.

The former go-karter made his Italian F4 debut with French team R-ace GP, before switching to German side US Racing, who are helmed by team principals Gerhard Ungar and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Ungar said in a US Racing press statement: “Kabir is a very open and ambitious young race driver. We had a good winter test programme and got to know each other even better. We can build on that and will see some strong races from Kabir.”

Schumacher, whose older brother Michael is the legendary seven-time F1 champion, added: “We are happy to have Kabir back in the team. I am looking very much forward to watching him race in a full Formula 4 season.”

Kabir will be looking to build on his performances in 2023, when he finished 26th and 17th out of 37 drivers in the first two of three races in the Italian F4 at Paul Ricard despite his inexperience.

In the 2023 Formula Winter Series, he finished fifth twice and consistently made the rookies’ podium – he was ranked 14th out of 47 drivers overall with 25 points.

Kabir said in a US Racing statement: “We completed a comprehensive winter test programme in 2023 when I learnt some new tracks and worked on improving my understanding of the tracks.

“I have worked hard over the winter break to be best prepared for the race programme in 2024.”