Two Emirati racers, Rashid Al Dhaheri and Keanu Al Azhari, are set to compete in the 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship, marking a significant step for UAE motorsport. Their seats with Van Amersfoort Racing and Hitech GP put two drivers from the country on the same FIA F3 grid for the first time.
The announcement is important because FIA Formula 3 is one of the main international routes to Formula 2 and Formula 1. It gives both drivers a chance to race at Grand Prix venues against many of the strongest young single-seater talents in the world.
Two Emirati drivers secure historic FIA Formula 3 seats for 2027
Gulf News reported that Al Dhaheri and Al Azhari will represent the UAE in the 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship, with each joining an established team in the category.
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Rashid Al Dhaheri will race for Van Amersfoort Racing, while Keanu Al Azhari has signed with Hitech GP. The pair arrive after progressing through junior karting and single-seater programmes, including the UAE-backed Yas Heat development structure.
Who are Rashid Al Dhaheri and Keanu Al Azhari?
Rashid Al Dhaheri
Rashid Al Dhaheri is one of the UAE's most recognisable young prospects in international karting and junior formula racing. He built experience in European competition from an early age, where drivers face deeper grids and more frequent race weekends than are typically available in the region.
His move to Van Amersfoort Racing places him with a team that has competed across major FIA junior categories. The Dutch squad has a long history of developing young drivers and has previously fielded racers who later reached Formula 1.
Keanu Al Azhari
Keanu Al Azhari has also followed a multi-year development path through karting and junior single-seaters. His 2027 move to Hitech represents his next major career step after gaining experience in competitive European-based series.
In its announcement, FIA Formula 3 confirmed Al Azhari's signing with Hitech for the 2027 campaign. The deal makes him one of the first Emirati drivers to secure a full-season seat in the championship.
What is the Yas Heat programme and how did it help them get here?
Yas Heat is a UAE driver-development programme designed to help Emirati racers move from karting into international single-seater competition. Its purpose is not simply to fund race entries, but to provide structured coaching, physical preparation, media training and exposure to overseas championships.
The programme gives young drivers access to support in several important areas:
- Professional race coaching and performance analysis.
- Fitness, nutrition and mental-performance preparation.
- Testing and racing opportunities outside the UAE.
- Guidance on the transition from karting to single-seater cars.
- Support in dealing with sponsors, teams and international media.
Al Etihad described both drivers as Yas Heat graduates, underlining the programme's role in creating a clearer pathway for Emirati talent. That pathway matters because the step from local karting to European single-seaters is expensive, technically demanding and highly competitive.
Team details: Van Amersfoort Racing and Hitech GP
Both teams have substantial experience in junior single-seater racing, but their operating environments will still be new for the two Emirati drivers. FIA Formula 3 is a tightly regulated category, which means driver execution, engineering communication and consistency can have a major impact on results.
Van Amersfoort Racing
Van Amersfoort Racing, often known as VAR, is a Dutch team with entries in Formula 3 and Formula 2. It has become a familiar name in the FIA single-seater ladder through its work with young drivers from a range of nationalities.
The team confirmed its involvement in the 2027 driver market through its official news channel. For Al Dhaheri, the priority will be adapting quickly to the team's systems, race engineering approach and the intensity of a full FIA F3 season.
Hitech GP
Hitech GP is one of the established teams across the FIA junior racing ladder. It competes in several single-seater categories and brings experience of preparing drivers for the move to Formula 2 and higher-level professional racing.
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Hitech GP said that Al Azhari will step up to FIA Formula 3 with the team in 2027. The relationship gives him a known technical platform, although results will depend on how well driver, engineers and crew work together through testing, qualifying and race weekends.
Why does this matter for UAE motorsport's talent pipeline?
The UAE already has major motorsport infrastructure, including Yas Marina Circuit, karting facilities and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What has been less common is a sustained route that takes Emirati drivers into the FIA's international single-seater ladder.
Two full-season FIA F3 seats provide a more visible example for younger racers. They show that progression from UAE karting to European championships is possible, although it still requires strong results, long-term support and significant commitment from drivers and their families.
The broader value is not limited to Formula 1 ambitions. Drivers who develop through international junior series can build careers in endurance racing, GT competition, touring cars, coaching, team management and other parts of the motorsport industry.
- For young drivers: it makes the pathway more visible and credible.
- For teams and sponsors: it creates more reason to identify Emirati talent early.
- For the UAE: it strengthens the link between hosting elite events and producing local competitors.
What comes next ahead of the 2027 FIA Formula 3 season?
The immediate focus will be preparation. Before the season begins, both drivers will need to build familiarity with their teams, complete simulator and testing work, and refine the fitness needed for demanding race weekends.
FIA Formula 3 cars are designed to keep competition close, so qualifying performance is especially important. A driver starting near the front can manage tyre life and race strategy more effectively than one fighting through a tightly packed field.
Key areas to watch before and during 2027 include:
- Pre-season testing pace and consistency.
- Adaptation to FIA F3 tyres, braking systems and race procedures.
- Qualifying performance at unfamiliar European circuits.
- Racecraft in large grids and high-pressure starts.
- Whether either driver earns a further opportunity in Formula 2.
The National reported that Al Azhari views the opportunity as a chance to represent the UAE with pride. For both racers, the season will be judged not only by podiums, but also by progress, consistency and their ability to compete against experienced international rivals.
Key takeaways
- Rashid Al Dhaheri will race for Van Amersfoort Racing in the 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
- Keanu Al Azhari will join Hitech GP for the same season.
- The signings represent a landmark moment, with two Emirati drivers set to compete in FIA Formula 3.
- Both drivers have benefited from the Yas Heat development programme.
- Their progress offers an important benchmark for the UAE's long-term motorsport talent pipeline.
People Also Ask
What is FIA Formula 3?
FIA Formula 3 is an international junior single-seater championship that sits below Formula 2 in the FIA racing ladder. It commonly races on selected Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends and is used by young drivers aiming for higher-level motorsport.
Will Rashid Al Dhaheri and Keanu Al Azhari race in Formula 1?
There is no guarantee that FIA Formula 3 drivers will reach Formula 1. Strong results in F3 can create opportunities in Formula 2, but progression depends on performance, available seats, funding and long-term backing.
Which teams will the Emirati drivers join in 2027?
Rashid Al Dhaheri is set to race for Van Amersfoort Racing, while Keanu Al Azhari will compete for Hitech GP. Both teams are established names in international junior single-seater racing.
What is Yas Heat?
Yas Heat is a UAE motorsport development programme that supports Emirati drivers as they progress through karting and single-seater racing. It aims to help drivers gain the experience and preparation required for international competition.
When does the 2027 FIA Formula 3 season begin?
The FIA Formula 3 calendar and exact opening-round date are normally confirmed ahead of the season by the championship and governing body. Drivers usually complete winter preparation and official testing before racing begins.
