Teenager Kabir Anurag is first Singaporean to join Alpine Formula One academy

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

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

And this weekend, the teenager will begin his first full Formula 4 season with the first races of the championship in Misano, where 12 teams and 37 drivers from 25 countries 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 FIA’s global journey 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 release: “I am delighted to join the Alpine Academy for the 2024 season. It is an honor to have the support and trust of the BWT Alpine F1 team and having the opportunity to work with the team’s driver development program to progress my career both on and off the track.

“This year I will start my rookie season in Italian Formula 4 and Euro 4 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, said Kabir is the first Singaporean to be part of the development team of any F1 team.

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

“It would be a proud moment for the nation if we had a Singaporean F1 driver make it to the world stage.

“If Singapore has a designated motorsports 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 British-based team confirmed that they will also benefit from the guidance and support of both the academy staff and the wider F1 team.

Kabir, an Indian citizen born in Singapore, and his parents became Singapore citizens in 2020.

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

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