Nguyen Hoai Nam Anh, commonly known as Ben Nguyen, has confirmed his participation in the FIA F4 World Cup, which is set to take place from Nov. 19 to 22 as part of the 73rd Macau Grand Prix in China.

The 17-year-old will race for Evans GP, taking the wheel of car number 3. According to the official entry list released by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), he is the sole representative from Vietnam competing at this year’s tournament.

Ben stated that his primary goal in Macau is to get familiar with the circuit, maintain consistency, and complete the races without any major errors, rather than focusing heavily on his final overall ranking.

“The 6.12km Guia Circuit is one of the most challenging street tracks in the world, with its narrow corners and barriers lining the edge of the road, and even a minor mistake could end one’s race. Because of that, my main goal is to learn the track, drive cleanly, and reach the finish line. I’m not fixated on the results. Simply being on the starting grid is already a milestone for Vietnamese formula racing, as well as for me personally,” Ben said.

The FIA confirmed that this year’s tournament features 24 drivers from various countries, all selected from FIA-certified F4 championships. Notable racers include Luka Sammalisto, the 2026 Italian F4 champion, and Dries Van Langendonck, the 2026 British F4 winner who is also a part of the McLaren driver development program.

Compared to his rivals, Ben has less practical experience in professional formula racing. He only began driving F4 cars in 2025, following a long period of studying the sport and training virtually on simulators.

Despite the late start, his debut season in the F4 South East Asia Championship was a success. He secured one podium finish and placed seventh overall in the standings. He went on to compete in competitive F4 events in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Malaysia.

In early October 2026, Ben finished as the runner-up and earned another top-three placement at the Formula Trophy Malaysia. Before that, he competed at the F4 BlackArts Racing in Malaysia last year and won the 4SS Sprint class at a domestic go-kart championship in Vietnam in 2024.

He is currently a first-year student majoring in Motorsports Engineering at Purdue University in Indianapolis, U.S. Alongside his academic studies, he continues to focus on physical conditioning, technical research and gaining further experience through international competitions.

Ben is the second son of Huong, who was crowned Miss Sports Vietnam in 1995. Huong previously worked as a TV presenter before transitioning into business, and she was later named the runner-up at the Mrs. World pageant held in the U.S. in 2011.

Ben Nguyen with his mother, former beauty queen Nguyen Thu Huong. Photo courtesy of Ben Nguyen

According to Huong, her son’s passion for racing cars emerged at a very young age. By the time he was six years old, he was already collecting model cars, spending his free time reading about automobiles, and exploring concepts to speed and vehicle mechanics.

What began as a childhood hobby gradually evolved into a serious passion. Ben built his own collection of technical materials and used his lucky money received during the Lunar New Year to set up a professional Formula racing simulator in his bedroom, where he practiced regularly.

Ben also delved into the manufacturing process of go-karts, methods for enhancing speed, and the principles of aerodynamics. He attended a specialized summer course at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to gain a deeper understanding of mechanical engineering.

The FIA F4 World Cup, inaugurated in 2025, is designed for young drivers currently competing in F4 championships around the world. The event serves as a part of the FIA’s driver development system, offering emerging talents the chance to gain international experience as they aim for higher levels of the sport.