At just 16 years old and with only three months of training, Ben Nguyen made waves at the F4 Southeast Asia Championship by finishing in the top 3. His story isn’t just about speed—it’s a testament to the courage, passion, and global ambition of a new generation of Vietnamese: from the starting line, straight to glory.
Unthinkable head start: From a model to the race track
Born in 2009, Ben Nguyen is the son of businessman Nguyen Hoai Nam and Miss Sports Vietnam 1995 Nguyen Thu Huong. From a young age, Ben showed a strong passion for speed and engineering. He frequently studied and built model race cars and conducted experiments related to aerodynamics.
In December 2024, Ben won first place in the 4SS SPRINT category at the International Karting Cup held at the Dai Nam Racetrack. This achievement caught the attention of coach Alex, Malaysia’s first Formula 1 driver, who later personally trained Ben for the F4 Southeast Asia Championship.
Racetrack mentality surpassing all challenges
Competing in the F4 Southeast Asia 2025 with the BlackArts Racing team, Ben Nguyen delivered an impressive performance. Starting from 6th position, Ben quickly advanced to 4th place, overtaking many opponents from countries with strong motorsport backgrounds such as India, Australia, China, and Singapore.
The highlight of the race was a breathtaking five-minute chase between Ben and professional driver Cheng Ming from China. Despite being closely pursued, Ben remained calm, maintained his speed, and held his position under intense pressure from the experienced opponent.
Solid supporters
To ensure Ben’s health and fitness for professional racing, his family has made a significant investment in his passion. Every day, Ben spends 1–2 hours training with his teammates on a racing simulator at home. In addition, he undergoes muscle-building workouts with a personal trainer and strictly follows the diet of a professional athlete.
Besides racing, Ben is also passionate about martial arts and is currently studying Kendo. He maintains strong academic performance at his international school, consistently improving his grades and developing holistically. His family always provides a supportive environment for Ben to pursue his passions and nurture his talents.
Journey to the top
With his top 3 finish and the “Southeast Asia’s Young Talent Racer” award, Ben Nguyen has made his mark on the Southeast Asian motorsport map. This is the first time in history that two Vietnamese drivers have stood together on the podium to receive a world-class professional racing award.
The tournament’s coaches highly praised Ben’s remarkable progress, from his physical strength and situational handling skills to his competitive spirit, which rivals that of professional racers. With the support of his family and his determined mindset, Ben Nguyen is expected to continue shining on international racetracks in the future.
At just 16 years old, Ben Nguyen is not only chasing his dream of speed but also becoming a symbol for a generation that dares to think big, take action, and venture into fields once considered “not for Vietnamese.” The young boy with a steel heart behind the wheel has proven that there are no limits to youth when passion is strong enough and the journey is supported by belief. If he continues with this mindset, it’s highly likely that in the near future, Ben Nguyen will not only be a source of pride for his family and the racing community but also a shining representative of Vietnam on the global sports map.
