SA's young F1 foursome take to the track with F1 star Bearman

Jody Scheckter remains the most prolific F1 driver to come from South Africa, as he is still the only driver from this country to win the world drivers' championship, all the way back in the 1979, with Ferrari.

Moreover, South Africa hasn’t hosted an F1 race since 1993. The long wait to do so seems to be on the verge of coming to an end — with the country in line to host a GP, pending successful negotiations — while, the 45-year wait for a driver from South Africa could also be coming to an end – hopefully – sooner rather that later.

After all, South Africa is not short of potential.

F1 requires a great deal of dedication and discipline and under the guidance of ICAN Management, four young drivers have mastered the art of wearing many hats early in their careers. While continuing their education, they have also found time to develop their racing instincts, with the hope of one day becoming F1 drivers.

The young careers of Luviwe Sambudla, Enzo Rjugiro, Ntiyiso Mabunda, and Mahlori Mabunda led them to the glamour, tight corners, and iconic harbor view of the Monaco earlier this month. Waiting to give them a personal tour of the iconic street circuit in the principality and share his experience as an F1 driver, was Englishman Oliver Bearman.

It was a day the four young drivers will surely never forget.

Sambudla, 16 years old, started taking an interest in motor racing at the age of six and described his first experience in a go-kart as a feeling of belonging. Ntiyiso's journey began by watching his father passionately follow the sport, which eventually sparked his own interest. While many find entering a kart to be a daunting experience, he described his first time as fun.

For 15-year-old Rjugiro, what began as a casual hobby gradually evolved into something meaningful, and is shaping into a serious career path.

When asked about their experience meeting Bearman, who will be racain in the upcoming season for Haas, Enzo shared valuable lessons he learned from the Haas driver.

“He told me that if I don’t feel like doing something, like going to the gym on a particular day, I must still get up and do it. I have to have the discipline to push through because that’s what sets the best apart—the best do it, even when they don’t want to.”

For Sambudla, the sacrifices required to succeed in the sport stood out during their conversation.

“We have a career in motorsport, so we have to always try to pursue that and sacrifice as much as possible.

"For instance, if other kids are going to the mall with friends, we are at home, either training or studying everything we need to in order to outperform everyone on track. I would say the biggest takeaway is sacrifice.”

Preparation was the most significant lesson 15-year-old Mabunda took away.

“The biggest thing I learned from chatting with Ollie was the importance of preparation," he said.

"If you’re prepared, you will automatically have the confidence to do well, with fewer doubts in your mind, which will allow you to perform better. But if you’re not prepared, you think of all the bad things that can happen, and it makes you nervous.

"I know that if I’ve prepared well, there won’t be a race I won’t be confident in, and I’ll perform well. That was my biggest learning from Ollie.”

The new F1 season start in mid-March with the Australian GP. Bearman, 19-years-old, will most likely be battling for supremacy in the midfield with his VF-25, but show his mettle there and greater honors could be on the horizon.

After all, he made his debut as Ferrari's youngest driver ever in 2024 when, as reserve driver, he substituted for Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian GP. Great things are thus expected from Bearman.

With his advice still at the forefront of their minds, perhaps he has inspired greatness in Sambudla, Rjugiro, Ntiyiso and Mabunda.