Sixteen-year-old Nguyễn Hoài Nam Anh, the son of Sports Beauty Queen Nguyễn Thu Hương, finished Top 3 and won the Asian Young Talented Driver Award in his debut appearance at a professional Formula 4 (F4) race on May 4.

Sharing the podium with Nam Anh (also known as Ben Nguyen) were Alex Sawyer, a British–Vietnamese driver who claimed first place, and Rishon Rajeev, a highly experienced Indian driver who finished second. This marked the first time in history that two Vietnamese drivers stood on the podium at a world-level professional motorsport event.

Nam Anh (far right) on the podium, finishing third.

Earlier in the race, Nam Anh delivered a dramatic performance. Starting sixth in the second race, the 2009-born driver overtook competitors from India, Australia, China, and other countries to climb to fourth place. Following a post-race technical inspection, the Filipino driver who originally finished second was disqualified after his car was found to be 200 grams under the minimum weight limit, officially promoting Nam Anh into the Top 3. The result was a great source of pride for both Nam Anh and his family.

According to Thu Hương, her son has had only three months of professional racing training, while most F4 drivers possess 2 to 10 years of experience. In his early days behind the wheel, Nam Anh struggled to even start the car due to nervousness and unfamiliarity with a machine capable of exceeding 200 km/h.

“In the beginning, the car would spin during practice sessions, and Ben felt immense pressure—sometimes requiring recovery vehicles to tow the car back. But with limited training time, he showed remarkable determination. He also received valuable support from his coach, Mr. Alex, an experienced former F1 driver, after he noticed Ben’s results at a Go-Kart race last December,” Thu Hương shared.

She added that although Nam Anh did not have a traditional karting background, he had strong experience with high-speed racing simulators, allowing him to quickly transfer virtual driving techniques into real-world racing once guided by a structured training program. As a result, his pace and racecraft improved rapidly.

In recent months, the family has focused on investing in Nam Anh’s professional racing journey. Alongside his studies at an international school, he spends 1–2 hours daily training on racing simulators at home with teammates.
“Ben rarely goes out. He prefers focusing on schoolwork, studying aerodynamics, and training with his teammates on simulators. On weekends, he trains in Go-Karting at Dai Nam or Global City to further develop real-world driving skills,” Thu Hương said.

To ensure optimal physical condition, Nam Anh follows a professional athlete’s nutrition plan, including adequate fiber, plant and animal protein, carbohydrates, fruits, vitamins, and minerals. He also undergoes strength and conditioning training with a personal fitness coach.

Thu Hương emphasized that formula racing is an expensive sport requiring long-term investment.
“Most drivers rely heavily on family support to compete in F4, then progress to F3 and F2. Only when they reach F1 do they begin earning salaries. However, strong results in F4–F3–F2 can attract sponsorships that help reduce financial pressure on families,” she explained.

Beyond motorsport, Nam Anh also practices martial arts and is currently studying Kendo. Despite his demanding training schedule, the Grade 11 student continues to maintain solid academic performance at his international school. Thu Hương noted that she and her husband never need to closely monitor or pressure their children, as both Nam Anh and his younger sibling are highly self-motivated and committed to personal development.

Born in 2009, Nguyễn Hoài Nam Anh is the son of businessman Nguyễn Hoài Nam—formerly the largest shareholder of FK Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)—and Nguyễn Thu Hương, Sports Beauty Queen 1995 and Mrs. World Runner-up 2011. Nam Anh is the second Vietnamese driver to compete in Formula 4, following Alex Sawyer Hoàng Đạt, a British–Vietnamese racer who previously represented Vietnam in F4 and F3 championships.

Formula 4 (F4) was introduced by the FIA in 2014 as the entry-level category in single-seater racing. It serves as a crucial stepping stone for young drivers progressing toward Formula 3 (F3), Formula 2 (F2), and ultimately Formula 1 (F1).