KARACHI: Former Italian Formula One driver Corrado Fabi, currently in Karachi on a short business trip, said he is beginning to like the game of cricket which is the prime reason his company has consented to sponsor a major cricket tournament in the metropolis.

Fabi, who was born in Milan, participated in 18 Formula One Grand Prixs events between 1982 and 1984 and was the 1982 European Formula Two champion, driving a March-BMW.

He appeared quite thrilled with the enthusiasm and mass appeal for cricket in Pakistan and said it reminded him a lot of the football mania back home in Italy. Talking to Dawn on Saturday afternoon at the Karachi Gymkhana during a press briefing arranged to launch the 17th Seniors Cup, Fabi said: “Oh yes, this game of cricket is catching my eye and I feel that I am going to be enjoying it much more once I get the hang of it.”

Fabi, who currently heads leading mining firm IMI Fabi and has entered into a partnership with Omar Associates in Pakistan, said his company agreed to sponsor the 109-team cricket event because he strongly believes that sports and healthy activities can make a society clean and competitive.

“My father, also a sports buff, encouraged me to take up Formula One racing in the 80s,” recalled Fabi.

“Late British driver Jimmy Clarke was my ideal in motoracing and I also raced alongside the legendary Alain Prost which was a fantastic experience.”

Fabi, who raced briefly in Champcars too before effectively retiring to look after the family business interests, said while it was unfortunate Pakistan did not have the facilities and tracks for top level motoracing contests, he was pleasantly surprised to see a large fan following for racing sport here.

“Motor racing is such an exciting sport, I am sure if Pakistan drivers decide to take it up, they can excel in it due to their temperament and aptitude for sports,” said Fabi who is accompanied by his wife Patricia Zuppini.

Published in Dawn January 18th , 2015

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