June 9th, 2025

A Saudi driver on merging life’s fast lanes, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and motorsport.

For some, racing is a sport. For others, it’s a dream. But for Mohammed Rajab, it’s a lens through which every aspect of life comes into sharper focus. From building model cars in childhood to clinching podiums on Saudi Arabia’s most challenging tracks, his journey is anything but typical. Beyond the adrenaline and asphalt, he’s a father, husband, entrepreneur, and artist integrating each identity with intention. In this conversation, he opens up about calculated risk, chasing excellence, and why driving is much more than just going fast.

You describe yourself first and foremost as a father, husband, and entrepreneur. How do those roles inform your identity on the racetrack and vice versa?

These roles aren’t separate they’re fully integrated parts of who I am. As a family man, I prioritize calculated decisions over impulsive risks. That mindset carries over to racing, where discipline and awareness are everything.

Being an entrepreneur drives my relentless pursuit of improvement. It sharpens my focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and adapting quickly to change. Racing enhances those same qualities it demands courage and composure, which, in turn, make me a better businessman and a more present father and husband. It’s all connected.

From model cars and video games to hillclimb rallies and national competitions, your path to professional racing hasn’t been linear. Was there a defining moment when you realized motorsport was more than just a passion?

It wasn’t one moment it was a build-up. It started with my uncle’s deep love for cars, evolved through my mom giving me the space to explore that interest, and was pushed further by friends who encouraged me to try it on the track.

I’ll never forget the first time I took my own car out to race. I was terrified going up against seasoned drivers, hitting high speeds. It felt like a leap into the unknown.
Fast-forward five years, I returned from college and saw an ad for a local racing championship organized by SAMF (Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation). I signed up. At only my second official championship event, I placed second against veteran drivers with serious equipment. That experience was a turning point. It validated the journey and fueled the fire.

I’m proud of how far SAMF and the racing community here have come since then. It’s an exciting time to be part of it.

“A Saudi driver on merging life’s fast lanes fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and motorsport.’’

Your racing career began in Los Angeles during your university years. How did the culture and pace of the city influence your early development behind the wheel?

LA is the car culture capital. The city lives and breathes automotive passion whether it’s freeway commutes, custom builds, late-night car meets, or access to legendary tracks like Willow Springs.
Just being in that environment accelerates your learning. From navigating freeways at speed to carving lines on canyon roads, LA was an unconscious training ground. It taught me about anticipation, decision-making, and staying calm under pressure. Even before I stepped onto a track, the city was already shaping my driving instincts
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You’ve competed in drifting, track racing, and hillclimbs. What draws you to such a diverse range of disciplines, and how do you adapt your mindset for each?

I’m drawn to becoming a well-rounded, adaptable driver. Each discipline challenges a different part of my skillset.

Drifting is all about control beyond the grip limit balance, throttle modulation, lightning-fast reflexes. It’s a high-stakes dance where every movement matters.
Track racing is a strategic marathon: consistency, racecraft, managing tires, perfecting lines. The goal is precision over a long stretch of time.

Hillclimbs are my personal favorite. It’s just you, the car, and the clock. No do-overs. You commit fully. It’s a mental sprint that demands memory, trust in your instincts, and unwavering focus. Each discipline builds a part of my driving “tool kit.” Whether it’s car control, precision, or pressure management these are transferable skills that benefit me both on and off the track.

Competing in Saudi Arabia at a national level marks a significant chapter in your journey. What has that experience taught you about racing and about yourself?

It’s been incredibly rewarding for my personal growth.
I’ve learned the value of nurturing local talent and creating opportunities within our own borders. With Vision 2030, a lot of doors have opened, and I’m proud to be part of that shift.

Saudi racing isn’t easy. The terrain, the heat, the elevation it all adds complexity. We race across the Kingdom, often on public mountain roads closed for the event. It’s raw and beautiful.

What I’ve learned about myself is this: racing is just as mental as it is physical. Handling pressure, bouncing back from setbacks, and staying focused in chaos has taught me to quiet self-doubt and trust my gut especially when it counts. Sometimes, you just have to send it.

You mention a love of people, cars, and art. Do you see motorsport as a form of artistic expression in its own right?

Absolutely. Motorsport is art in motion.
Cars are functional sculptures every curve and aerodynamic element serves both performance and beauty. The fusion of design, mechanics, and creativity makes them mesmerizing.

Then there’s the choreography between driver and machine. The lines through a corner, the weight transfer, the throttle control it’s like dancing. There’s rhythm, precision, and emotion in it.

And let’s not forget the sound. The roar of the engine, the whine of the gears, the tires on tarmac it’s a mechanical symphony. For enthusiasts, it’s a deeply visceral experience.

Motorsport blends engineering, performance, and passion in a way that absolutely makes it a form of art.

Balancing business ventures with professional racing is no small feat. What’s the secret to sustaining momentum both in the boardroom and on the circuit?

It’s not about perfect balance it’s about creating synergy.

In both racing and business, there’s always more to do than time allows. The key is ruthless prioritization. Focus on the 20% that gets 80% of the results. In racing, that might mean simulator work, fitness, or engineering tweaks. In business, it’s about strategy, client relationships, and leadership.

Delegation is critical. You can’t do it all. You need strong teams and the ability to trust them. I’ve learned to guide more than I micromanage especially when I’m away racing.

Time management is everything. I’m obsessive about it not in a rigid way, but with a clear sense of where each minute goes. When I’m in business mode, I’m all in. When I’m racing, I shut everything else out. (Okay, sometimes there are Zoom meetings in the car between heats… not everything can wait.)

And finally pit stops. Physical and mental recharge is non-negotiable.

What is style to you?

Style is manners. How you speak, how you carry yourself, how you dress but most importantly, how you drive.

Less is more or more is more?

Less is more. But simplicity is incredibly complex to achieve. So is it really “less” at that point?

What is authenticity to you?

Doing something just because you want to. Walking the walk. It’s easy when you’re being true to yourself.