The Formula X- factor

Age is only a number and it cannot be a barrier if someone has a strong will to achieve his goals.

This is the message the 'Young' Jean-Yves Mallat is out to prove the world when he competes in the motor racing world of Formula X and French GT Championships.

The 41-year-old Dubai-based Lebanese-American has set minimum goals for himself and is pursuing it in the right direction.

"The idea of participating in the FIA Formula X International championships and the French GT Championships is to gain maximum experience to be able to compete in the upcoming Middle East championships," said the soft-spoken Mallat, who finished eighth and sixth respectively in the first round of the Formula X in Monza earlier this month.

The recently-launched Formula X provides the ideal platform for the aspiring Formula 3, Formula 3000 drivers or even endurance drivers.

"It's easy to drive and the feel is fantastic. All in all it's a very good car as one can pick up driving skills very easily. It's a pretty rigid Chassis, which, though, doesn't forgive mistakes, but gives excellent feedback and puts one at ease very early," he said of the Formula X cars.

Mallat began to nurse his dream of become a driver from a very early age. He set his career wheels in motion by taking part in the Autocross in the US, where he lived. In 1995, he then shifted to the second gear by taking part in the karting championships in Lebanon.

"I finished third for four out of five years and the last two years fourth," said a gleaming Mallat.

However, his best performance came in the first race of the French GT championships in Nagoro in April. Part of the Ruffier Team, he finished 11th in the two-leg endurance race, run for a duration of one-hour each with one pit stop.

"I've no sponsors in Europe and the next few races are being sponsored by the Synergy Asset Management," clarified the MBA Finance from American University in Washington DC.

With personal funding he plans to take part in three or four out of the seven races in the French GT races and the last leg of the World GT championship. "I am confident of doing well as I have both the skills to go higher and the concentration for the endurance races."

Formula X gives Mallat an opportunity to test his skills against much older and younger opponents. Former Formula 1 driver Fulvio Ballabio, who is in his mid-50s, young Japanese Formula-3 champion Shinsuke Yamazaki and Vanina Ickx are among a few in fray.

"There are some impressive drivers in the series. I am sure as we can only get better as we progress. To win you also need the experience, at least I have one on my side," concluded a self-assured Mallat.