Morocco is home to some of the best auto racing players in the world. From the legendary rally driver, Nasser Al-Attiyah, to the Formula 1 driver, Romain Grosjean, Morocco has a long and proud history of producing some of the best drivers in the sport.
Morocco has also produced some of the most iconic and successful cars, from the Renault 5 Turbo to the Peugeot 205 GTi. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best auto racing players from Morocco, and explore their incredible achievements.
1. Robert La Caze
Robert La Caze was a Moroccan-French racing driver who made history in the world of motorsports. Born in Morocco, La Caze was the first driver to race in Formula One under an African license which was issued by the Royal Moroccan Automobile Club.
This was a significant milestone for the international racing scene, as it marked the first time an African driver had competed in the highest tier of motorsport. La Caze was also the only driver to ever race under a Moroccan license.
This was an even more impressive feat, considering the fact that motorsports in Morocco were still in their infancy at the time. La Caze’s career in Formula One was relatively short-lived, lasting only a few seasons.
Despite this, his legacy remains strong and he is remembered for his pioneering spirit and determination to break down barriers in the sport. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring African drivers, showing them that anything is possible if they put their minds to it.
La Caze’s legacy will live on for many years to come, and his influence will continue to be felt in the world of motor racing.
2. Youssaf El Marnissi
Youssaf El Marnissi is a Moroccan racing driver who is making a name for himself in the motorsport world. Born in Marrakech, Morocco, El Marnissi has been involved in racing since a young age.
He started his racing career by winning the Moroccan Karting Championship in 2009, and since then he has gone on to participate in several international competitions.El Marnissi has competed in the World Series Renault, the GP2 Series, and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, as well as the Formula 3 Euro Series.
He has been a regular presence in the World Endurance Championship and competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019.
He is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Dubai and has been the champion of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup twice.El Marnissi has competed with some of the top teams in motorsports, including the Renault Sport Academy, the DAMS Racing team, and the ART Grand Prix.
He is the first Moroccan driver to compete in the World Endurance Championship and is a three-time winner of the prestigious Middle East Rally Championship.El Marnissi is an inspiration to many aspiring racers in Morocco, and his success is a testament to the passion and dedication he has for the sport.
He is an example to those looking to make their mark in the world of motorsports and is sure to continue to be a successful and respected racer for years to come..
3. Michaël Benyahia
Michaël Benyahia is a professional racing driver from Morocco. He has been competing in motorsport since the early 2000s and has achieved considerable success in the sport. He has won multiple national championships in karting, as well as several international events.
In 2021, he became the first Moroccan driver to win an FIA Formula 3 Championship race. Benyahia began his racing career in his native Morocco, competing in karting events and winning his first championship in 2001.
Since then, he has gone on to win several more national and international championships. He has competed in numerous series, including the Formula Renault 2.0, Formula 4, and Formula 3.
In 2020, he made his debut in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, where he recorded a string of impressive results. Benyahia’s 2021 season has been the most successful of his career, as he won his first FIA Formula 3 race, and went on to finish the season in the top ten of the championship.
He also made his debut in the World Endurance Championship and is set to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. His success in motorsport has made him a prominent figure in the Moroccan motorsport scene, and he is now an inspiration for aspiring Moroccan racers.
4. Sami Taoufik
Sami Worship Taoufik is a professional racing driver who hails from Morocco but was born in Spain. He is a well-known name in the sport of motor racing and is renowned for his skill and success on the track.
Taoufik began his professional racing career in 2002 in the Spanish Formula 3 championship. Since then, he has competed in a variety of motor racing series around the world, including the GP2 Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
He has achieved notable success in these series, and is currently competing in the Formula E championship. He is also a regular competitor in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which he has won on two occasions.
Taoufik is considered to be one of the best drivers in the world and is highly respected amongst his peers. He is a true ambassador for the sport of motor racing and has become a source of inspiration for many aspiring drivers.
5. Ismaïl Sbaï
Ismaïl Sbaï is a Moroccan racing driver who has been competing in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) since 2013. He began his career in 2008, racing in the French Formula Renault 2.0 championship.
In 2010, he was awarded the title of ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the French Formula Renault 2.0 Championship. He has also competed in the European Touring Car Cup and the Seat Leon Eurocup. In 2013, Sbaï made his debut in the WTCC, driving a Honda Civic.
He has since been a regular competitor in the championship, racing for the Proteam Racing team and other independent teams. He has achieved several podium finishes and currently holds the title of ‘Most Improved Driver’ in the WTCC.
He is also the first Moroccan driver to have won a race in the WTCC. Sbaï is a highly experienced and successful driver who has proven himself both on and off the track.
He has developed a strong reputation for his speed, technical skill and professionalism, which has seen him compete against some of the best drivers in the world.
He is an inspiration to aspiring drivers from Morocco and around the world and a great example of how hard work and dedication can lead to success.
6. Max Cohen-Olivar
Max Mimoun Cohen-Olivar was an outstanding racing driver from Morocco. He was highly regarded as one of the greatest Moroccan racing drivers of all time.
His impressive career featured many notable accomplishments, most notably his numerous appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. His strong record at the race was unmatched, as he became the ninth driver to have participated in the race 20 or more times.
Max Mimoun Cohen-Olivar was a consistent and reliable driver who had a long career in the sport. He successfully completed numerous races throughout his career and was always a formidable opponent on the track.
He was also a highly respected driver, known for his professionalism and sportsmanship. His last appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race was in 2001, and it was a fitting end to a remarkable career. Max Mimoun Cohen-Olivar will always be remembered as a great racing driver.
His accomplishments and contributions to the sport will certainly not be forgotten. He will be remembered as a pioneer in Moroccan racing history, and an inspiration to all drivers who follow in his footsteps.
Conclusion
Morocco is home to some of the best auto racing players in the world, and they have shown their talent in numerous races and competitions.
Their skills, hard work, and dedication to the sport have made them stand out in the auto racing world and have earned them recognition both in Morocco and abroad.
The future looks bright for Morocco’s auto racing players, as they continue to prove their worth in the sport and strive to become the best in the world.
