Dubai: Basil Shaaban hopes to make his big-time debut during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix in 2009.
"Very realistically, Abu Dhabi fits in so well with my plans and the career development I want to make towards racing in Formula One," Shaaban told Gulf News yesterday.
The Lebanese driver, who has lived most of his life in the UAE capital, signed a two-year agreement with Ferrari Team sponsor Shell in an attempt to become the first Arab driver on the F1 grid.
"This is the first major step towards realising a dream," Shaaban said.
"With Shell as a sponsor, I see myself paying attention to what I need to do as a competitor and that is, drive.
"This is the first time that I begin a true and comprehensive programme towards becoming the first Arab driver at the pinnacle of motorsport."
Two-year programme
The agreement with Shell will see Shaaban embark on a two-year programme on the Formula 3 Euro Series, one of the major traditional ladder championships leading to Formula One.
"I am thrilled to be partnering a global company like Shell which shares my ambition to showcase the excellence of the Arab world on an international stage," Shaaban said.
Shaaban has teamed up with Austria-based HBR Motorsport for 2007 after spending two days testing with the team last week in Lausitzring, Germany.
The 2007 Formula 3 Euro Series is scheduled to take off at Hockenheim, Germany this weekend and Shaaban left late last night for the opening round.
And as he set out, Shaaban knew exactly what he wanted for the next two years. "The first part of this season will be a learning process, and I want to start pushing for the points by the second half of the year," Shaaban said.
"I want to develop through the season and I will be eager to see how best I can fast-track my development as a race driver."
At the end of two years, both parties have the option of renewing the deal. "Now I can truly say that Basil Shaaban is on his way to achieving his dream," he said.
Prior to moving out on his own, Shaaban had been involved with Team Lebanon in the A1 Grand Prix.
"After spending a full season with Team Lebanon and giving them the best results, I saw the limited opportunities I was getting to drive the car. It is then that I decided to move out on my own and do something to realise my dream," Shaaban said.
As per the plan, the next two years will be spent with the F3 Series with the hope that he would have done enough to get a seat on the GP2 Series running alongside the Formula One calendar. "By 2010 latest I should be able to secure a race driver seat," he said.
