PETRONAS Motorsports
PETRONAS Talent Development Initiatives
The Rationale


It is an undeniable fact that there are many talented young Malaysians in and around our motorsports backyard. To that end, PETRONAS in recognition of that fact has over the years developed and provided these young talents with the necessary tools and platforms to see that they can not just propel their racing careers but also to excel in motorsports.

In the early years, these efforts were originally conducted through the various teams we were partnered with, these efforts saw us work together with Malaysian household names like Shahrol Yuzy, Malaysia's first MotoGP rider; the "Flying" Karamjit Singh; and the late Hairol Buntat Azmi in the world of Touring and Endurance racing.

A notable mention also goes to a young Johorian talent named Fariqe Hairuman, who with the PETRONAS Syntium Team became the youngest Asian driver ever to win a major touring car championship, an accolade that would be recognised by German Automaker BMW in a special award to the young Malaysian.

As the appetite for motorsports evolved in the country, so did our efforts to contribute to the development of these young talents.

In 2006, PETRONAS institutionalised its efforts through the formation of the PETRONAS Formula Xperience racing school, developed to help bridge the gap between go-karts and higher single-seater open-wheel formula categories. Since its inception more than 70 young drivers have gone through the syllabus that includes the racing fundamentals to face physical or mental challenges required to progress their racing careers. Some have graduated with us to higher categories, while their fellow alumni members carried on racing with the basics they were taught as their guides.



In addition to the young talents on four wheels, our young riders in two-wheel motor racing categories have also proved deserving of our attention. Through our collaboration with race organisers, the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship has become a vital lifeline and platform for the development of young talents on motorcycles. Through our professionally run teams in the championship, we also apply the same fundamental towards nurturing teenagers to realise their dreams.

Once these riders are ready, we take them to the next step through the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship. And this in turn, is the launching pad for them to aim for the pinnacle of motorcycle racing: MotoGP. To date, we are proud to associate ourselves with the likes of the 2006 Novice category champion in the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship who went on to become Malaysia's first ever Moto2 wildcard rider! And there are more coming through!

By opening up opportunities to talented Malaysians, we have no doubt we’ll have a world champion to make us proud, sooner rather than later.


PETRONAS Talent Development

• PETRONAS Formula Xperience Racing School (PFX)
  

• PETRONAS Mofaz Racing Team & Team Meritus (JK Racing Asia Series)
  

• PETRONAS Syntium Team (Junior Development Drivers, Super Taikyu Endurance Series, Japan)
  

• Jazeman Jaafar (British Formula 3 Series)
  

• Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship)
  

• Ramdan Rosli (PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship)
  

• MotoGP Wildcard Programme