Shihab takes leap into Formula 4

MUSCAT, oct 9 - Omani teenage karting sensation Shihab al Habsi has taken the next step in his career by opting to take part in Formula 4 races and leaving the karting. The 13-year-old will compete in his first Formula 4 race next month in Germany. The Omani boy also managed to get an international sponsor for his Formula 4 participation. Shihab had missed out on a podium place by a narrow margin in the CIK-FIA World Championships at Paul Fletcher International Circuit in the United Kingdom recently. Shihab al Habsi took part in the OK Junior category of the CIK-FIA Junior World Championships. The 13-year-old Omani qualified for the final race in the 15th place. The Msport Karting driver, who had the best lap time of 57.128 seconds, settled for the fourth place, finishing 7.829 seconds behind the eventual winner Dexter Patterson. Patterson led a British sweep of the top three places.