At just 10 years old, Ari '32 has already achieved an incredible milestone in his young karting career: he holds first place in the prestigious Rotax MAX Challenge, a top-tier karting championship series in the UAE. This accomplishment sets him apart as one of the youngest rising stars in the sport, demonstrating the hard work, focus, and discipline that Ari puts into his racing journey.
Ari’s passion for karting began at age seven, inspired by watching Formula 1 races with his father. Soon after, he visited a track and was hooked. “My dad got me into it,” he shares. “He’s just as competitive as I am.” Since then, Ari has dedicated himself to racing, building his skills and confidence to reach speeds of up to 110 km/h on the track. His success reflects a commitment not only to the sport but also to the personal growth it brings—especially in handling the setbacks that come with racing. “If I make a mistake, I want to come back stronger,” he says, showing the resilience that has helped him reach the top of the leaderboard.
Ari has been a student at ASD since kindergarten, and he credits the school with helping him balance his academic responsibilities with the demands of competitive karting. “It’s tiring but worth it,” he says of his packed schedule. The support from his teachers, who accommodate his travel and allow him to complete schoolwork remotely, has been essential as he competes across the UAE and Europe. His friends at ASD are impressed by his karting achievements, though he chuckles that they “think it’s cool, but they don’t really understand it.”
With a keen interest in science, Ari already applies academic concepts to his sport, watching physics videos to better understand forces and honing his math skills to improve his performance on the track. Inspired by his favorite racer, Lando Norris, he dreams of becoming a Formula 1 racer and takes his preparation seriously—using visualization and meditation to stay focused and calm. Beyond his technical skills, Ari brings a unique focus to his race preparation. Every main event is marked by his pre-race rituals: a fresh haircut for luck and his coach ceremoniously carrying his helmet to the track. These small moments help him ground himself and prepare mentally for each race.
When he’s not karting, Ari enjoys playing piano, which provides a way for him to relax and recharge. His advice to other young racers is straightforward but powerful: “Don’t give up. Keep staying focused and believe—it will make you stronger.” Ari hopes his story can inspire his classmates at ASD to pursue their own passions with determination, knowing that hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality.
