# Jazeman Jaafar Opens Motorsport Doors for Malaysia > Malaysian motorsport talent gets hands-on F1 exposure through Jazeman Jaafar's program. - Title: Jazeman Jaafar Opens Motorsport Doors for Malaysia | Shortify - Summary: Malaysian motorsport talent gets hands-on F1 exposure through Jazeman Jaafar's program. Jazeman Jaafar, who nearly joined Formula One, runs a program giving… - Keywords: jazeman jaafar, malaysian motorsport, technology transfer apprenticeship progr, persona energy, le mans, formula one, malaysian talent, motorsport, seahawks, nfl, news, Jazeman - Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/20/he-nearly-made-f1-now-jazeman-jaafar-is-opening-doors-for-malaysias-next-motorsport-generation/235852 - Published: 2026-09-20T21:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: jazeman jaafar, malaysian motorsport, technology transfer apprenticeship progr, persona energy, f1, le mans, formula one, malaysian talent, motorsport, seahawks, nfl, news ## Jazeman Jaafar's motorsport journey Jazeman Firhan Jaafar, 33, spent over two decades in motorsport from racing internationally to nearly securing a Formula One seat. > He nearly made F1, now Jazeman Jaafar is opening doors for Malaysia’s next motorsport generation ## Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme The Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP) offers hands-on international exposure to Malaysian engineers and technical talents. > So, I have talents like that … they have the grit, the skill, but they don’t have that ‘door opening’. So, I open the door for them ## TTAP participants and partners 95 talents have gone through TTAP with most working in the industry while some pursue further studies. > Supported by partners including Porsche, Bosch Engineering and Yayasan Raja Muda Selangor ## TTAP structure and requirements TTAP runs for seven months with participants gaining hands-on experience at three races during the program. > So, my requirement is three races. I do a pre-event briefing. Then, we do a scorecard to see their performance and then their graduation ## Jazeman's early racing career Jazeman began go-karting at age six in 1998 and decided he wanted to become a Formula One driver by eight. > I had to promise her to never forget to ‘ mengaji ’ (study) first. You know, do my tuition first. And then I can go racing ## F1 deal that nearly happened Jazeman received offers from Force India and Manor after winning Formula Renault 3.5 Series race in Monaco in 2015. > They came back with a second offer to proceed with reserve driver (first). I still have the contracts in my mum’s house ## Why F1 deal didn't happen Political pressure around 1Malaysia Development Bhd and falling oil prices prevented F1 deal from being finalized. > We had four F1 teams from a small country. But no F1 driver, no F1 engineer ## Jazeman's current racing status Jazeman competes in GT and endurance racing but has not returned to Formula One. > If you put me in a race car tomorrow, I will perform at my utmost best. But Formula 1, no ## Malaysia's motorsport talent potential Malaysia has talent capable of professional racing careers in GT, Le Mans and endurance racing. > You know, race teams, international race teams love hiring Malaysians because we speak English ## Malaysia's historical F1 involvement Malaysia had connections with four F1 teams at its peak but produced no drivers or engineers. > Because a lot of the involvement in F1 was purely a commercial element. Not to grasp at talent development ## TTAP's future goals Jazeman wants TTAP to become self-sustaining with 10-20 Malaysian talents integrated into racing each year. > We have the opportunity to ask (for) what we want. I feel that we do not capitalise enough on the spillover effects ## Malaysia's F1 hosting opportunities Malaysia hosts Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix next month with potential for talent development. > We have the opportunity to ask them for what we want. I feel that we do not capitalise enough on the spillover effects ## Jazeman's vision for motorsport Jazeman aims to build sustainable talent pipelines through international motorsport exposure. > The door is open; you go for it. That is the only thing I can do, which I have done ## Malaysia's motorsport future Malaysia seeks to develop technical talent and integrate international motorsport benefits through TTAP. > We have to really plan for that integration … but it has to come from the ministry ## Key takeaway Jazeman Jaafar, who nearly joined Formula One, runs a program giving Malaysian engineers international motorsport experience to build a sustainable talent pipeline.