The 2024/25 Formula 1 season has just wrapped, leaving fans speculating about what, or who, is next. While most eyes stay fixed on those battling it out in the first division of the sport’s grid, there’s a quieter fascination with those working their way up. Among them is young Lebanese prospect Christopher El Feghali, a talent slowly, but surely, establishing himself within the sport’s developmental pipeline.
Still early in his rise to the top, El Feghali has already secured a place within Red Bull’s junior academy, a proving ground that has helped shape several Formula 1 careers, including that of the French-Algerian driver Isack Hadjar, who’s currently enjoying a breakout debut season at the top level.
As he continues to climb the ladder and position himself as an internationally recognized race car driver, below, we’ve rounded up five must-know facts about Christopher El Feghali.
Christopher El Feghali is 16
El Feghali was born on August 29, 2009, making him a Virgo. He was born and raised in Lebanon— the country he represents in competition— specifically in Baabda, the capital of the Mount Lebanon Governorate.
He’s the nephew of a record-breaking rally champion
Motorsport clearly runs in the family as El Feghali happens to be the nephew of Roger El Feghali, an eighteen-time winner of the Rally of Lebanon; a record that remains unbeaten to this day even by the region’s standards.
His father was a renowned Red Bull athlete
El Feghali also happens to be the son of Abdo El Feghali, a Red Bull Motorsport athlete and Guinness World Record holder for the world’s longest drift. His father is also a three-time Lebanese Rally Championship champion and has finished runner-up on four different occasions.
Christopher El Feghali is the first Lebanese athlete to join an F1 Academy
No one from the Cedar State had achieved this before him. As part of the Red Bull Junior Team—an academy that has produced world champions such as Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel—he is progressing through the ranks, division by division, with the long-term ambition of reaching Formula 1 and, ultimately, bringing a first world title home to his country and region.
He competed in F4 Spain and Saudi Arabia
Last season, El Feghali competed in the Spanish and Saudi Arabian Formula 4 championships, finishing 13th in Spain and 14th in KSA. As of now, his plans for next season have yet to be announced, with no confirmation on which championship he will be competing in next.
