bahrainthismonth.com | SEPTEMBER 2025 INTERVIEW 43 At just 10 years old, Bahraini go-karting prodigy Tariq Soofi – known on the track as Turbo Tariq – is taking the motorsport scene by storm. With a passion for speed and an ambition to reach Formula 1, this young racer is quickly becoming a name to watch. From the moment he first gripped the wheel at six years old, Tariq’s life has revolved around racing. He recalls the day vividly when his mother first took him to the track: “I tried go-karting for the first time and got excited while I was driving. My heart felt pumping like a racer. I felt like I was flying on the ground and I loved the speed so much that I wanted to do it again and again.” Away from the track, Tariq is still immersed in motorsport. Whether he is sketching different racing circuits, studying their layouts or listening to the distinctive sounds of engines to identify the cars, the obsession never ends. When he is not racing, he enjoys playing football with friends, going on his simulator and watching Formula 1, WEC and GT3 races, further fuelling his drive to excel. Inspirations and Early Triumphs Tariq’s motorsport inspiration is the legendary Ayrton Senna, admiring “his amazing speed, his skills on the track, how he never gave up and also how kind he was to children.” Closer to home, his parents are his biggest supporters, giving him every opportunity to pursue his dreams and instilling the belief that he can compete at the highest level. Their encouragement helped him achieve one of his proudest moments to date, winning his first Rotax championship. “I felt so proud and happy because all my practices finally paid off,” he recalls. “That’s the day I knew I wanted to keep racing seriously.” Training Hard, Dreaming Big Behind Tariq’s growing success lies an intense routine of training and preparation. He spends countless hours at the karting track refining his technique, alongside fitness sessions to build stamina and upper body strength. “I also do fitness training like running, cycling and exercises for my arms because steering can be tough. Before races, I watch videos, study the tracks and talk with my coach about the best lines to drive,” he explains. Competing internationally brings its own challenges, from unfamiliar tracks and engines to more aggressive rivals, but Tariq embraces every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Despite his young age, Tariq’s drive is to continue winning races and improving his performance, but his ultimate dream lies firmly on the grand stage of Formula 1: “My long-term ambition is to become a Formula 1 driver one day,” he explains. “I want to race for a big team and represent Bahrain around the world. When I put on my suit with the Bahrain flag, it feels like I’m carrying my whole country with me. I want people to see that even though we are a small country, we have big dreams and big hearts.” To follow Tariq’s racing career: @turbo.tariq TOWARDS GLORY Racing
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