Seventeen-year-old Omar Aswat represented Qatar in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship held at Sepang International F1 Circuit in Malaysia, recently. 

Aswat, already the Red Bull Karting Champion for Qatar, was up against more established competitors from Ireland, Finland, Malaysia and India. The event was solo for all drivers, but each driver was assigned an engineer and driver coach, and mechanics. Omar has been practicing with Qatar Karting Community prior to the event.

Across the weekend there were four races. Throughout Race 2, Aswat and India’s Sneha Sharma locked horns in an intense battle, with Sharma fending off Aswat by a mere 0.4 seconds. It was a great battle in Race 2, according to Aswat.

I was using techniques in the race which I had learnt through racing with the QKC racers in Qatar.’

Omar Aswat on the approach to Turn 9

However, in his fourth and final race, Aswat drove a faultless and consistent drive to achieve 3rd place in the Rookie Driver Category. He was ecstatic after the race. 

It was an honour to represent Qatar throughout weekend. I drove with my heart throughout, and to achieve 3rd place in Race 4, was (having) the cherry on top.’

Peter Thompson from F4 SEA praised Aswat’s performance and said Qatar have some keen and very capable drivers. F4 SEA is a gateway for racers into Formula One and the organisers are encouraging competitors to apply now for the championship next season. 

Omar Aswat Top 3 Drivers from Race 4 and Top 3 Rookies from Race 4
The Top 3 drivers from Race 4 and the Top 3 Rookies from Race 4