Cover Alister Yoong followed in his father's footsteps to pursue racing
Alister Yoong followed in his father's footsteps to pursue racing
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This Father’s Day: we shine a spotlight on Alex Yoong, who relishes the joys of fatherhood, nurturing a bond with his son Alister that will last a lifetime
Being the son of Alex Yoong, Malaysia’s first and only Formula 1 driver and three-time Audi R8 LMS Cup champion, it’s not surprising that motorsports racing is in Alister’s blood. But if we’re being honest, Alex had never expected his son to follow in his footsteps. “I am aware of trying not to foster your own hopes and dreams onto your children and living through them,” he explains of his relaxed parenting style, preferring to show instead of telling his child what to do.
Alister says of their father-son relationship, “We get along well, and he gave me a lot of room to make my own decisions.” Having his own agency has certainly shaped Alister to become a capable, mature, and independent young man, but regardless, his love and respect for his dad are clear to see.
Read more: Father’s Day 2024: Azlan Iskandar
Above Racing blood courses through both father and son
Racing blood courses through both father and son
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As it turns out, Alister became interested in racing at age 13 after witnessing his dad emerge as champion in the Audi R8 LMS Cup. Alex shared that around that time, he was starting to move away from motorsports to pursue other interests. However, recognising the sacrifices his family made for his own racing journey, he felt he owed it to Alister not to deny him his dreams. Admittedly, Alister was a little late to the game, as most European racers start as young as five, but his drive and determination, not to mention his natural talent, got him to where he is today. Over his eight-year racing career, Alister counts the Indian Racing League 2022 and winning in the Mugello and Monza circuits among his best highlights. While he mostly races in India and Europe, he recently came back to participate in the Malaysia Championship Series in Sepang, and he’ll soon be off to Europe again.
As you can see, Alister’s racing schedule is packed but Alex remarks, “There’s no such thing as too little racing. Alister is focusing on building a career right now, and it is tough, but it’s a good experience for him to try and learn—he’s got to do the legwork.”
See also: Father’s Day 2024: Roen Cian Nagapan
Above Alex and Alister Yoong at the Sepang race track, preparing for the Malaysia Championship Series
Alex and Alister Yoong at the Sepang race track, preparing for the Malaysia Championship Series
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Leveraging his knowledge and expertise, Alex also cultivates and discovers young talent through sim racing competitions that his esports company, Axle Sports, organises. He has even enlisted Alister as a sim instructor and racing driver for his team. Sim racing provides a more affordable means for budding racers to enter the world of motorsports, and it’s growing bigger every year. Alex shares, “We’ve gone into sim racing and esports because we saw some gaps in the market. I was pleasantly surprised to realise that there are many talented potential drivers out there.” In fact, over the past year, Axle Sports successfully transitioned their sim drivers into real-life racing, where they’ve managed to come out winners. In 2024, Axle Sports will continue to expand its presence in both the virtual and real worlds, develop their drivers, and uncover new racing talent. On top of that, they are working with Malaysian racers ahead of the FIA Motorsport Games scheduled to be held in Valencia, Spain, later this year.
Cut from the same cloth, racing blood courses through their veins, evident both on and off the track. With an eye towards clinching a world championship title, winning in a 24H Le Mans race, and securing a job as a factory driver for a car brand, Alister remains guided by his father’s sage advice: “Champions race for competition, not status.”
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Photography: Fady Younis
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Elizabeth Soong is the managing editor of Malaysia Tatler. She loves a good laugh, but is serious when it comes to work, and gets a high from dancing, cats purring, plus enjoys musicals or binge-watching a good TV series. Continually inspired by the people she meets, edits and writes about, you're welcome to see what she's up to on her Instagram @lizsoong.
