Yas Heat Academy drivers to make first UAE appearance at FIA Karting Academy Trophy
Two drivers from Yas Heat Academy at Yas Marina Circuit, Essa Al Hammadi and Faris Haroun, will represent the United Arab Emirates in the 2026 FIA Karting Academy Trophy, marking the first time Emirati drivers have been selected to compete for the country in the series. The appointments place both drivers on an international karting calendar that spans several of Europe’s established circuits this season.
What the FIA Karting Academy Trophy means for young drivers
The FIA Karting Academy Trophy is an internationally recognised FIA programme designed to give young drivers exposure to competitive karting on a global stage. Participants race against peers from multiple countries under standardized equipment and rules, offering a level playing field to showcase talent. Races and results are publicly broadcast on the FIA Karting website and YouTube, giving participants visibility within the wider motorsport community.
Schedule and categories for the UAE entrants
Essa Al Hammadi has been entered in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy Senior category. His 2026 campaign includes rounds in Mülsen, Germany from 10 to 14 June, and Kristianstad, Sweden from 27 July to 2 August. Faris Haroun will compete in the Junior category, with Trophy rounds scheduled for Sarno, Italy from 20 to 25 July, and Viterbo, Italy from 7 to 11 October.
In addition to the FIA Trophy, Haroun will undertake an expanded European programme with extra race weekends in Italy, including competitive events in Cremona from 8 to 11 July and a further meeting in Viterbo from 23 to 26 July. Those additional outings are intended to provide more seat time and exposure to different circuits and competition levels.
Significance for UAE motorsport and driver development
The selections signal a milestone for Emirati grassroots motorsport. Yas Heat Academy, based at Yas Marina Circuit, has been developing a stepped pathway from local karting through to international competition. Fielding the first drivers to carry the UAE flag in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy underscores the programme’s progress and the growing emphasis on building homegrown talent.
For the drivers, competing in the Trophy and in additional European events presents a range of practical benefits: regular competition against international peers, experience on diverse track layouts and surfaces, and public race footage and timing data that can be reviewed by teams and talent scouts. Karting remains a primary entry point for aspirant drivers aiming to progress into higher single-seater categories; consistent performance in recognised FIA events can be an important element of a young driver’s development profile.
Yas Marina Circuit’s role and wider context
Yas Marina Circuit is a central motorsport venue in the UAE, known internationally as the host of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Beyond marquee events, the circuit operates driver development, karting and grassroots programmes that feed into regional racing ecosystems. The advancement of drivers from those programmes to FIA-level karting reflects broader investment in motorsport infrastructure and talent cultivation across the UAE.
While this is a notable step for Emirati karting, the wider landscape remains competitive. Young drivers from Europe, Asia and the Americas routinely use the FIA Karting Academy Trophy as a benchmark, and strong showings there are typically followed by targeted development plans, regional championships and, for a small number of drivers, moves into junior single-seaters.
What to watch this season
Observers will be looking for how both drivers adapt to the higher density of competition and different circuit characteristics in Europe. Essa Al Hammadi’s Senior entry places him among older and more experienced karting competitors, while Faris Haroun’s schedule combines Trophy rounds with additional Italian events that can accelerate learning through repetition on the same venues.
Race weekends for the FIA Karting Academy Trophy are streamed on the FIA Karting website and YouTube, offering fans and stakeholders a chance to follow both drivers’ progress. Results and programmes are expected to be posted on the official FIA Karting channels throughout the season.
Conclusion
The participation of Essa Al Hammadi and Faris Haroun in the 2026 FIA Karting Academy Trophy represents a concrete milestone for the UAE’s nascent pipeline of racing talent. Their campaigns will test the effectiveness of local development efforts and offer both drivers a platform to gain international experience. For Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Heat Academy, the entries will be a measure of progress as the UAE seeks to deepen its presence in international motorsport.
Key 2026 dates: Essa Al Hammadi – Mülsen, Germany (10-14 June); Kristianstad, Sweden (27 July-2 August). Faris Haroun – Sarno, Italy (20-25 July); Viterbo, Italy (7-11 October). Additional Haroun events – Cremona, Italy (8-11 July); Viterbo, Italy (23-26 July).