Khalil Beschir, (born 18 June 1983) in Bahersaf, Lebanon is a racing driver who represented Lebanon in the A1GP series and raced for A1 Team Lebanon and the only driver who stayed for 3 seasons in row. His father and mother currently have a sports shop in the mountain town of Bikfaya. Beschir does not come from a wealthy background, and has often not been able to race before 2004 because of lack of sponsorship. Beschir began racing in 1998 when he went into karting. But didn't race again until 2004 when he competed in Belgian Formula Renault. His best finish was 6th at Spa-Francorchamps after starting 32nd on the grid. In 2005 he completed one round of the Italian Formula 3 Championship finishing 11th in both races at Adria. He also finished 13th in the Italian Formula 3000 Series but competed only in 4 events with his best finish being 5th starting from 15th on the grid. In the inaugural A1GP feature race at Brands Hatch his car rolled at Paddock Hill Bend after making contact with A1 Team Italy's Enrico Toccacelo. His best finish to date is 13th at Durban. He ended the race in 8th place but the last two laps were cancelled due to a red flag.
In November 2005 speculations stated on the Internet and in some newspapers that Khalil Beschir has contacts for a move to Formula 1 as to be the first Lebanese and Arab driver in F1 History. The same speculations were back on the Motorsport scene in 2010 when Khalil was negotiating a test drive role with some F1 teams.
Beschir was one of only 3 drivers from A1GP to win an award in 2006. He won the award for "Most Extensive Product Testing".
He is currently Formula 1 TV pundit for Abu Dhabi Sport TV.
THE WORLD’S PERSPECTIVE
Beschir is perceived in the Middle East both as a national symbol of success and unity and a pioneer in auto racing, which has no tradition in Lebanon.
LEGACY
Although it might be premature to assess Beschir’s racing career, he will certainly go down in history as the first Arab athlete to bring auto racing to the hearts and minds of the Arab world.
F3000 Pro Series 2005
(key) (Races in boldindicate pole position) (Races in italicsindicate fastest lap)
| Driver | VAL | IMO | SPA | MUG | MIS | LAU | ADR | MON | Pts | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Beschir | - | 12th | 9th | 12th | Ret | 5th | - | - | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
| 2005–06 | Lebanon | GBR SPR 22 |
GBR FEA Ret |
GER SPR Ret |
GER FEA 18 |
POR SPR |
POR FEA |
AUS SPR |
AUS FEA |
MYS SPR Ret |
MYS FEA 17 |
UAE SPR |
UAE FEA |
RSA SPR |
RSA FEA |
IDN SPR |
IDN FEA |
MEX SPR |
MEX FEA |
USA SPR |
USA FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
23rd | 0 |
| 2006–07 | NED SPR |
NED FEA |
CZE SPR |
CZE FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
MYS SPR 17 |
MYS FEA 20 |
IDN SPR |
IDN FEA |
NZL SPR |
NZL FEA |
AUS SPR |
AUS FEA |
RSA SPR |
RSA FEA |
MEX SPR |
MEX FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
GBR SPR |
GBR SPR |
23rd | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | NED SPR |
NED FEA |
CZE SPR 20 |
CZE FEA 21 |
MYS SPR |
MYS FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
NZL SPR |
NZL FEA |
AUS SPR |
AUS FEA |
RSA SPR 19 |
RSA FEA 08 |
MEX SPR |
MEX FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
GBR SPR 22 |
GBR SPR 18 |
22nd | 3 |