Pakistani Enaam Ahmed driver grabs top racing podium

British-Pakistani Enaam Ahmed has made history as he became the first driver carrying the Pakistani flag to stand on the podium of the very competitive ‘Road to Indy’ ladder.

The 22-year-old started his 2022 season on a high note in the Indy Pro 2000 series by taking second place in the opening round of the season, held in Florida on the streets of St Petersburg.

Enaam qualified for the 25-lap race on the front row. American driver Josh Green established an early 3s lead from pole position. Lap by lap his lead was reduced by Enaam, and by lap 16 he was within striking distance. When the chequered flag came out he was only 6s behind Green.

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Speaking to this correspondent about the race, Enaam expressed his experience of the first race of the season. “Very, very happy to be top three in the first race. I was the quickest on track in the race but unfortunately, it’s really difficult to pass because it’s a street circuit. But really happy to start the season like this, and also the team gave me a really good car which I’m really happy about and we kept in one piece.”

Enaam, whose parents live in Central London but he lives between UK and USA. Said that the American racing landscape is unique. He said: “No other series in the world offers racing on a variety of tracks as in the US: from racing tracks (Road America and Mid-Ohio) to street circuits (St Petersburg and Toronto) to high-speed ovals in Indianapolis and Madison, near St Louis, Missouri. There are 18 races in 2022 and the season will conclude in Portland, Oregon in September.”