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[Big Azza]

Taken from Times of India Website:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/racing/Malaysian-teen-Jeffri-is-youngest-F1-test-driver/articleshow/6477726.cms

LONDON: Malaysian Nabil Jeffri became Formula One's youngest test driver at the age of 16 on Wednesday, after being driven to the track by his proud father.

Jaffri, still too young to take a driving test in Britain or drive on the public roads, conducted a day of straight line aerodynamic testing for F1 newcomers Lotus on an airfield runway in Duxford, eastern England.

The Malaysian-owned team's regular race driver Heikki Kovalainen and Malaysian reserve Fairuz Fauzy were also present to advise the teenager.

"I have had an incredible day, one of the best days of my life," said Jaffri, a member of the AirAsia ASEAN driver development programme who competes in the Asian Formula BMW series.

"I have to admit the first time I went out it was pretty scary. Everyone told me the acceleration would be unbelievable and the braking would be so much greater than anything I've ever experienced, and it took a while to get used to that," he added in a team statement.

Kovalainen said he told the youngster to just enjoy the experience and not get stressed about trying to impress.

"He did a great job today, he quickly picked up the correct procedures and was working well with the whole team," said the Finn.

Team principal Tony Fernandes, who also runs the AirAsia airline, said the test was just a first step on the path to the top.

"When I first offered Nabil the chance to drive our car he couldn't tell if I was joking or not," he said. "But I was very serious about giving a young Malaysian the chance to step up to the big time.

"He's repaid my faith in him and has performed incredibly well."

Alex Yoong remains the only Malaysian to have raced in Formula One, with Minardi between 2001-02 without scoring a point.

The youngest driver to take part in a grand prix is Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, who made his debut for Toro Rosso in Hungary last year aged 19 and 125 days.

Read more: Malaysian teen Jeffri is youngest F1 test driver - Racing - More Sports - Sports - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... z0yLcMrwLD

[elfinitty]

16 might seem too young to be a test driver.He isnt even 18-its official age to drive,vote and much more things in many countries- But he is old enough to give some desicions himself and also his family let him to do that.It is said that he is successful,it would be great to see him as a racer in grand prixs.

[Jabberwocky]

how cool would that be for a 16 year old..... in fact I want a go.

[Hammer278]

Good for him but it makes me annoyed in a way. My life dream was to be a racer...and now this news of a guy 8 years younger to me has had a shot has left me with mixed feelings.

[nish2280]

It's hard to imagine that very well could be me right now...

[What's Burning?]

He received good advice from Heikki Kovalainen.

[f1ea]

Wow.
Shouldnt be that that surprising, as the trend is to go younger and younger......... you can tell by how the "youngest ever to..." record keeps getting broken season after season.

But here you have a kid who cant ever work full time at a Mcdonald's where the most dangerous item is a frier, and the most pressure you'll have is to take out a $1.99 drive through order in a minute; and yet he can get into a $$$$ machine that can kill you, having to pit in 3 secs and travel 7km in less that 2 mins with the ever present danger of taking out a few drivers and/or crew while at it...... seems out of place.

But then, these drivers are all outstanding individuals... and it would not be correct to have teenagers being given opportunities by what the mediocre standard is.

It's hard to imagine that very well could be me right now...

Its hard to imagine that could be my son....

[Amanda]

Urgh, it just makes me feel incredibly old

[Jensonb]

lolWut.

That's way too young. 20 is too young to be an F1 race driver, testing at 16 is bonkers.

[What's Burning?]

Urgh, it just makes me feel incredibly old

I'm nearly three of him, and two of you...

Please cut it out with the feeling incredibly old comments.

[Big Azza]

I wonder what I could've done with my life if we had a bit more money growing up.

I'm 20 now ad already well into a career. I could have gone a different road and played soccer, or be a musician. (I'm thinking of going on X-Factor in the next few years, so watch that space.... )

Now I'm a tall and fat young man confined to an office desk all day, solving issues as big as Global Warming, yet paid less than McDonalds would pay me.

And then I hear about this kid and think... life just isn't fair.

But on the issue of young drivers... watch out for New Zealand drivers coming through the ranks. There's going to be some good ones. I think New Zealand drivers are capable of dominating the sport like Finnish drivers are able to....

In New Zealand there are 12 year-olds driving in the equivalent of Formula 3000.

[Gaz]

I wonder what I could've done with my life if we had a bit more money growing up.

I'm 20 now ad already well into a career. I could have gone a different road and played soccer, or be a musician. (I'm thinking of going on X-Factor in the next few years, so watch that space.... )

Now I'm a tall and fat young man confined to an office desk all day, solving issues as big as Global Warming, yet paid less than McDonalds would pay me.

And then I hear about this kid and think... life just isn't fair.

But on the issue of young drivers... watch out for New Zealand drivers coming through the ranks. There's going to be some good ones. I think New Zealand drivers are capable of dominating the sport like Finnish drivers are able to....

In New Zealand there are 12 year-olds driving in the equivalent of Formula 3000.

they start go karting at 8 so 12 years old for Formula Ford (or entry level single seater is normal)

[f1ea]

I wonder what I could've done with my life if we had a bit more money growing up.

I'm 20 now ad already well into a career. I could have gone a different road and played soccer, or be a musician. (I'm thinking of going on X-Factor in the next few years, so watch that space.... )

Now I'm a tall and fat young man confined to an office desk all day, solving issues as big as Global Warming, yet paid less than McDonalds would pay me.

And then I hear about this kid and think... life just isn't fair.

But on the issue of young drivers... watch out for New Zealand drivers coming through the ranks. There's going to be some good ones. I think New Zealand drivers are capable of dominating the sport like Finnish drivers are able to....

In New Zealand there are 12 year-olds driving in the equivalent of Formula 3000.

At least now you know what you have to do with your son...

Mine's starting early. I definitely plan to steer him into 'talent' stuff. Either sports, music, arts or whatever he can be good at.
Anything... except studying. hehe

[Jensonb]

Personally, I'm taking up Go Karting this year (At about 18/19 - depends when the first race is), but I don't have any interest in actually being a pro racing driver. I just really love driving Go karts for fun. Have you ever tried it? It's a good way to scratch the motorsport itch and, quite frankly, Go karts might be the most awesome things to drive in the world. All mechanical grip, tiny wheels and a short wheel base. They're squirrelly as get out, it's ace!

[What's Burning?]

I wonder what I could've done with my life if we had a bit more money growing up.

I'm 20 now ad already well into a career. I could have gone a different road and played soccer, or be a musician. (I'm thinking of going on X-Factor in the next few years, so watch that space.... )

Now I'm a tall and fat young man confined to an office desk all day, solving issues as big as Global Warming, yet paid less than McDonalds would pay me.

And then I hear about this kid and think... life just isn't fair.

But on the issue of young drivers... watch out for New Zealand drivers coming through the ranks. There's going to be some good ones. I think New Zealand drivers are capable of dominating the sport like Finnish drivers are able to....

In New Zealand there are 12 year-olds driving in the equivalent of Formula 3000.

At least now you know what you have to do with your son...

Mine's starting early. I definitely plan to steer him into 'talent' stuff. Either sports, music, arts or whatever he can be good at.
Anything... except studying. hehe

For girls, a umpalumpa tape seems to be a pretty good career launching move that doesn't involve studying.