Rashid Al Dhaheri made history on Sunday when he became the youngest ever Emirati racing driver to win a race on the international stage as he powered to victory in the Birel EasyKart Trophy at a round of the Italian National Karting Championship in Milan.

At the age of just six years and 40 days, the Abu Dhabi primary schoolboy took the victory in race one of the ‘bambino’ category. Rashid was the youngest in a field of 35 drivers in the six to eight age group.

After two days of practice, where he racked up over 250 km on the tricky Circuit of Castelletto, Rashid drew fourth place on the starting grid for Sunday’s race from where the youngster made a great start, fighting his way to the front to claim victory.

In race two Rashid had to start from 31st on the grid, but this did not deter him as he knuckled down to deliver another gutsy performance which saw him end up tenth and overtaking 21 drivers during the course of the 10-minute race.

Rashid’s performance impressed important figures in the Italian karting community, including ex-Formula 1 driver, Ferrari GT works driver and team principal Gianmaria ‘Gimmi’ Bruni who welcomed Rashid into his team.

“I am happy to help Rashid in his racing career path. Since I met him first time I saw passion and det-ermination in his eyes. I had the opportunity to watch him testing and recognised a great potential that can be improved step by step," declared Bruni.