Muizzuddin aims to make his mark in new season of F4SEA

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Muizzuddin Musyaffa Abdul Gafar wants to stamp his mark further in the FIA Formula 4 South-East Asia Championship (F4SEA) when the new season returns in July.

The 16-year old, who took part only in the last two legs of the just-concluded 2017-2018 season, impressed in last Sunday’s finale at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) by winning Race 6 and finishing second in Race 4.

Muizzuddin moved back to Malaysia this year after enjoying a successful go-kart career in Europe.

Among the highlights of his career was winning the WSK Champions Cup in the 60 Mini class and emerging runner-up in the WSK Super Masters Series in Italy in 2014.

Muizzuddin, who became the first Asian to be honoured as the World Series Karting (WSK) champion, has now showed glimpses of his potential in handling the Formula 4 car.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for me to prove myself in F4 and a dream come true to win my first formula race at home in Sepang,” said Muizzuddin after the F4SEA appreciation luncheon hosted by chairman Peter Thompson.

“I hope I’ve done enough to secure the SIC young driver scholarship to allow me to compete a full season later in July and ultimately try to win the overall crown!”

Muizzuddin explained it was initially tough for him in his transition from go-kart to formula racing.

In the fifth leg also at Sepang, he could only manage seventh placing as his best result.

“I struggled at first to cope with a heavier machine. It’s different when it comes to braking and gear shifting, so indirectly it affects your confidence a little bit.

“But then in the last round, I started to get the feel of the car better,” said Muizzuddin, who looks up to four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany as his idol.