“Enzo Thanwanichkul” The top 13-year-old Thai driver writes the history of “Thai kids”, who won the 2022 World Junior Kart Championship and created a sensation as the first “real Thai” driver to receive a contract to join the world-class team. “Red Bull Jr.”, which has formed many world-class Formula One racers. The person reveals that he is very proud to build a world-class reputation as “Thai people”, aiming for another 4 years to move up to Formula 2. and dreams of becoming the next Thai Formula One driver
After creating masterpieces until winning the Junior Kart World Championship in the 2022 season, the name of Enzo Thanwanichkul, a 13-year-old young Thai driver, is mentioned a lot in the world of motorsport. with aggressive form instinct to win And discipline in competition The 13-year-old Thai driver also received a contract to join “Red Bull Junior”, a program that has pushed many drivers into Formula One, including world champion Max Verstappen. 2 generations of Dutch and Thai drivers like Alexander Albon Angsusingh, who currently races for Williams Racing, as well as famous drivers such as four-time German world champion Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricci. Australian driver Ardo, French driver Pierre Gasly and Ferrari’s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz all made their mark at Red Bull. L Racing and Alpha Tauri (former name Scuderia Toro Rosso)
The contract that the young Thai star received following meeting Dr. Helmut Marko senior advisor of Red Bull Racing Marked as “a number of years”, it means that “Enzo” has a long-term commitment to this team. or may look as far as Formula One
Most recently, Enzo returned to Thailand with his family. (Father-mother) to visit his hometown, which Grand Prix International Public Company Limited, Motorsport Department by Khun Anothai Eamlumnow, Chief Production Officer held a meeting and invited Thai media to attend a special interview at the “Enzo Meets The Press” event on Thursday, January 5, along with Mr. Piti Bhirombhakdi, Executive Vice President of Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd. welcome and congratulations
Enzo, who recently won the Junior Kart World Championship in 2022, said: “We took a long time on the track. I am very proud to win in the World Championship under the Thai flag. and is a driver of Thai descent It’s pride. because there is rarely a Thai person competing at the world level and abroad I’m very happy to show foreigners that “Thai people” are good at driving. When we go to the World Championship, we’re showing everyone around the world what the potential of our country is.”
Enzo revealed regarding his fight in the Kart World Championships, “This year, 1 out of 7 people can win the finals. which is very competitive There are a lot of people fighting us, it’s very difficult, that’s why. That’s why I had to devote my entire life to go-karting. We have to spend all day preparing for the victory.
At the same time, the 13-year-old Thai driver spoke regarding his goals following winning the Kart World Championship in 2022, saying, “The main goals ours is to win And I want to win in Formula One because that’s the biggest stage in the world. The best drivers in the world are in Formula One when we start winning in Thailand. looking to Europe Looking forward to the world stage Then I looked up. Formula Four, Formula Three, Formula Two and of course everyone wants to climb up to Formula One, but it has to be slow. move up in order of motor sport”
Compared to kids his age, Enzo is a very responsible young athlete. Both in training and studying that must be done at the same time.
“Some people think it might be too heavy… but for Enzo, I think the heavier, the more I like it. Because some people will think that when it’s too heavy… Can he do it? Will it pass or not? So I took this to show them that No matter how old we are, how stressful we are, we have to do it. to reach the goal”
Speaking regarding his “role model” of racing, Enzo said: “I like Max Verstappen because he is very aggressive. But I like Pee Alex (Alex Albon Angsusing) too, because Pee Alex That is, Thai people who go to Formula One like Prince Bira, Alex is like my role model. I want to be as good as Alex or make it better.”
In addition, Enzo, who has made outstanding contributions to the world karting arena. And shone in the eyes of the world champion Formula One team like “Red Bull Racing” until being signed to join the project “Red Bull Junior” with a long-term contract Red Bull Racing’s senior advisor, Dr Helmut Marko, was impressed with Enzo following meeting him for the first time. Especially in terms of competitive attitude. and the determination to be successful in the professional driving path before the contract was signed
For “Enzo Thanwanichkul” is the first Thai child with 100 percent Thai blood to sign a contract with “Red Bull Junior”, a world-class racing team. with a contract signed in Graz Austria on November 24, 2022
Under the contract, Red Bull Jr. will step in to support and oversee training. driver development program Finding the right race team And overseeing all competitions of Enzo in the next season To prepare before moving on to become a professional driver in the generation Formula Four (F4) and other models in hierarchy like Formula Three (F3), Formula Two (F2) and the ultimate dream Formula One (F1) in the future.
Enzo said regarding moving to be under the “Red Bull Junior” that “Wearing a Red Bull shirt today, I’m very proud. Because when it comes to Formula One teams, Red Bull is the best and fastest team in motorsport. We must keep fighting. have to think regarding the future and show potential for everyone to see.”
The path the 13-year-old has laid out for his future in motorsport is the same as that of any world champion driver, with Enzo saying: “If everything goes as planned, four years from Enzo wants to compete in Formula 2 at the age of 17, Red Bull talks to us regarding many things. I think if I’m good enough I can reach Formula One with Red Bull and we’ll see. I have a dream that one day when I come back to Thailand, there will be fans who will welcome me at the gate in the airport. And on that day, I will be able to drive in Formula One.” Enzo concluded.
For Enzo Thanwanichkul, he started driving karts for the first time at the age of 3 before entering the motorsport industry for the first time in 2016 at the age of 6 with the Toyota Junia youth karting competition. Go-kart 2016 (Toyota Junior Gokart 2016) in 2017 was able to win the annual championship in the program. Super Car Thailand, model Super BNB and runner-up of the year in the Cadet A model, then in 2018 began racing in Asia and Europe. before continuing to collect experiences until winning the World Championship in the Junior World Championships in 2022
In the 2023 season, Enzo will compete in European and global karting championships. It will move up to the senior model and plan to test Formula Four racing cars. To climb into formula racing the following year.
Written at 7:52 p.m. Date 5 Jan. 23
