S’pore teen race driver Christian Ho may have to slow down as he eyes driving licence
Singaporean race driver Christian Ho is no stranger to high speeds, often reaching up to 260km/h as he competes in European motorsport. However, at just 17, he still cannot legally drive on public roads. Christian plans to get his driving license when he turns 18 in October, as he mentioned during an interview with The Straits Times on September 19.
Acknowledging the challenges of the theory test, Christian admitted with a laugh, “Parking is probably the worst for me—I’m really bad at it.” But while parking might be tricky, he’s gearing up for even faster speeds in 2025. On September 16, it was announced that he will compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship next season, where top speeds can hit 300km/h. The team he will join will be revealed soon.
Christian sees this as a significant milestone, noting that racing in Formula 3 is a much clearer step toward his goal compared to karting. “In karting, the path isn’t always obvious, but now with F3, I’m that much closer to F1,” said Christian, who has lived in Europe since 2018 when his parents recognized his potential.
The Formula 3 season usually coincides with Formula 1 circuits, like Britain’s Silverstone. This progress fuels Christian’s determination to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming Singapore’s first Formula 1 driver. He stays late at tracks, reviewing race data and videos to enhance his performance. After finishing second in the Eurocup-3 series in Spain’s MotorLand Aragon in July, he spent hours analyzing his performance to improve.
“I’m very competitive, maybe a little too much at times,” Christian admitted. “When I finish second, I’m not satisfied. It’s a good trait in racing, though, because complacency can set in when you’re at the top. To move up to F3 or F2, I have to keep improving.”
Christian’s European racing career has been filled with impressive achievements. He made history in 2019 as the first Asian to win a race in the Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft series. In 2022, he moved to Formula 4 and finished second in the F4 Spanish Championship a year later. Now in his rookie season with Eurocup-3, he currently ranks second out of 34 drivers, with 164 points, trailing only Spaniard Javier Sagrera.
Each step up in racing gets more challenging, requiring quicker decisions. Christian explained, “As speed increases, reaction time shortens. In F3, with more downforce and higher speeds, you’re driving 15 to 20 seconds faster than in F4. It’s a big mental adjustment, and the races are longer, so I need to prepare more to stay focused.”
Christian has already begun preparing by testing an older Formula 3 car, working closely with his team, and intensifying his gym training. As he looks ahead, he also contemplates national service. After completing his A levels at St. Andrews College in Cambridge by 2026, he will face his enlistment. When asked about deferment, he said, “I’m Singaporean at the end of the day. My father and grandfather both served in NS, and I’m ready for it too. First, I’ll finish my studies and then see how it aligns with my racing.”
Through every race, Christian’s eyes remain fixed on his goal: Formula 1, with every turn and gear shift bringing him closer.