The Mühlner Motorsport youngster is making his debut in the Prototype Cup Germany in 2024 and has immediately impressed with some fine times. He finds the LMP3 racing series the perfect stage, on which to establish himself in motorsport.
The Prototype Cup Germany is now in its third season and has attracted international interested from day one. The best example of this is Keanu Al Azhari (16/UAE), who drives a Duqueine D08 for established Belgian team Mühlner Motorsport. The youngster from Dubai made his debut in the series at Spa-Francorchamps in April – and was immediately impressed: “In my opinion, what makes the series so special is the mix of iconic and entertaining circuits, which offer drivers the opportunity to show what they are capable of in different conditions. The Prototype Cup Germany also provides a good platform for aspiring talents to establish themselves in motorsport and showcase their ability.”
Out on the track, Al Azhari has already produced some eye-catching displays. At the opening round of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, the 16-year-old really impressed in qualifying. In a strong field, the Mühlner driver initially set the fastest lap time, only to see it scratched subsequently for exceeding track limits. “On the whole, I was happy with my performance at the season-opener in Spa. I demonstrated my ability and showed the team’s potential,” says Al Azhari.
The second race weekend at the Lausitzring proved to be similarly successful for Al Azhari. The rapid youngster secured pole position for one of the two Sunday races. He then went on to score some good points in the races, finishing fourth and sixth.
As well as competing on the motorsport scene, the young man also still goes to school. He is pleased that online lessons have allowed him to find a model, with which he can accommodate both learning and sport. His racing career began at the classic starting point: karting. He then switched to a Formula car in 2023, and promptly enjoyed great success in both Spanish Formula 4 and Formula 4 UAE. He is still racing in both junior series in 2024. And successfully: Al Azhari won two races last weekend in the Spanish championship, and is consequently well placed in the title race. The flying junior also gained his first experience of GT racing in January, when he drove a Porsche 992 Cup for Mühlner in the 24 Hours of Dubai.
In the Prototype Cup Germany, which is organised by the ADAC and Creventic, Al Azhari joined the Belgian team via a special trial programme. “Mühlner Motorsport gave me the unique opportunity to test the LMP3 car in Barcelona and Portimão last winter,” he explains. “I then came out on top against my fellow applicants in the Junior Shoot-Out, and am now part of the team. The Prototype Cup Germany has an exciting race format. Plus, it was an opportunity to develop and expand my experience in the world of motorsport.”
The young hope is reluctant to set a definite target for the season. “My goal in the Prototype Cup Germany is to improve continuously. I am striving to be competitive in every race and to achieve good results together with the team,” he says. In the medium term, he aims to use the Prototype Cup Germany as a springboard to higher motorsport categories. “Formula 1 is certainly the big goal for any young racing driver – but I’ll see what happens,” he says. “I am doing what I enjoy – racing. That is what I am focussing on, first and foremost. Then we’ll see what the future brings.”
The near future takes Keanu Al Azhari to Circuit Zandvoort. The racetrack in the dunes on the Dutch North Sea coast hosts the next round of the Prototype Cup Germany from 12th to 14th July.
