Boy, 7, is youngest professional rally car driver in China, starting race journey at age 1

A seven-year-old boy has become China’s youngest professional rally car driver after being certified at the age of five.Shao Ziyan, from Wenzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, has amazed mainland social media with his professionalism and passion for the sport despite his young age.According to his father, the boy became obsessed with car racing when he was a toddler.Shao Ziyan’s feet only just reach the pedals on the simulator where he began his journey. Photo: DouyinHe began using a racing simulator at home when he was one.Noticing that his son had a “particularly great sense” for driving, Shao senior made a smaller simulator for him to practise.He then bought an electric go-kart for his son, and soon Shao junior, a little over two years old, found the electric one too slow.Shao senior upgraded the go-kart to a fuel-powered vehicle and signed his son up for professional go-kart training.