The return of Axcil Jefferies

Formula Two is one rung behind the world’s popular Formula One racing and according to Jefferies father, Suhail, the young Zimbabwean driver has been invited by the FIA to compete in Formula Two this year.
The FIA are the world’s motorsport governing body.
“The FIA have given Axcil permission to participate in F2 (which is one step below F1).
“The 2012 F2 official drivers launch and presentation will take place on Wednesday March 28 (today) at Silverstone Race Track in the UK.
“I have paid for Axcil’s F2 car to be painted in Zimbabwean colours, livery to advertise our great nation.
“I am (also) going to the Zimbabwe Embassy in London to see if I can get the Ambassador to come to the launch,” Suhail Jefferies recently said from London.
Suhail Jefferies also said his son is now ready to raise the Zimbabwean flag high “and place Zimbabwe on the international map in a positive manner because F2 has massive media coverage.”
Some powerful companies in Zimbabwe, Suhail Jefferies said, have also indicated that they might be willing to assist Axcil this year.
Suhail Jefferies also explained why his son went into hibernation for most of last year.
“We were approached by a group of Americans, nine months ago, who said they were going to help Axcil in his career.
“They went to great lengths advertising that they were taking Axcil to America but nothing happened. I think they were just attempting to cash in on Axcil’s name.
“We were totally dependent on them, and believed they would make it happen, so we counted on them. Anyway, seeing they failed us, I quickly rushed around to see what we could put together.”
In 2009, Axcil Jefferies made history when he and two other racers were selected by BMW for its Formula BMW Asia Pacific cadetship programme.
The young Zimbabwean was the only African to accomplish this feat and went on to make the nation proud by finishing off the season in a commendable third place.
He went on to race in Europe, perfecting his trade and always ready to represent his motherland.
At every important stage, numerous agents charmed the young driver with tempting offers for him to change his nationality.
Amid sponsorship challenges, Axcil Jefferies soldiered on in the belief that his dance with destiny was intertwined with the nation that moulded him.
Speaking from his London base, Axcil Jefferies affirmed his commitment to Zimbabwe.
“I had a few offers from abroad to race, but my manager and I turned them down and we have been patient as Zimbabwe’s economy improves.
“Zimbabwe is my home, and this is where I learnt my trade. It is my duty to give back. I look forward to raising our flag high again.”
After a year-long hiatus due to lack of sponsorship, Axcil Jefferies is now a step closer to fulfilling his goal of reaching Formula One.
The continent’s Formula One contender will do what he does best this season as a Formula 2 racer.
Formula 2 marks a big leap from his Formula BMW days as it is directly below Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport.
Piloting a 550 horsepower and 300 KM Williams powered beast on some of Europe’s most iconic racing circuits is just the beginning as the 17-year-old will compete against much older participants.
He’ will also be up against some of the finest racers in the world as the first and only African to compete in the championship, the key reward of winning being a test with Williams F1.
The 2012 Formula Two racing season will start with a launch ceremony taking place today.
To underscore the historic importance of this feat, Zimbabwean Embassy and tourism officials in London have made a commitment to be part of the procession.
The Zimbabwean government’s historic commitment to Axcil Jefferies’ cause goes back as far as his Formula BMW days when Webster Shamu, the Minister of Media and Information, personally travelled to welcome him at Harare International Airport after he came up tops in Malaysia.
Air Zimbabwe also affirmed the Zimbabwe government’s belief in Axcil Jefferies’ mission by becoming his airline sponsor in 2010.
Although Formula Racing is an individual sport, its prestigious status is unrivalled in promoting national and corporate initiatives.
The sport is a playground for world’s wealthiest and most influential people.
Mahatir Mohamad, the visionary leader behind Malaysia’s self-sustained rise to become a middle income nation and a loyal friend of Zimbabwe, saw the benefits of F1 and commissioned a taskforce to build Sepang circuit which was launched in 1999.