A County Down teenager is heading to Bahrain next week week after landing a Formula One trip of a lifetime.
Yasmin Janahi recently won the DHL Motorsports F1 Commentator Challenge and is now set to mingle with F1 stars at pre-season testing.
The 19-year--old will fly out to Bahrain next week for the three-day test, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, February 23-25.
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During her trip Yasmin will get to go behind the scenes in the paddock and will also be commentating with Formula One professionals as the new F1 cars and drivers take to the track together for the first time ahead of the first race of the 2023 season.
"I can't believe it, it is a dream come true," beamed Yasmin.
"This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I can't wait to get out there. It's not often that a 19-year-old girl from Newtownards gets to travel to an F1 track to report for F1 and DHL social media.
"It is a short trip but it will certainly be worthwhile."
Yasmin admits she "threw her name into the hat" when she heard about the commentary competition.
But she never expected to beat off hundreds of other entries from across the world.
"I follow DHL Motorsports and Formula One on all their social media. I saw they had the competition advertised and I thought I might as well give it a try," she said.
"When you entered, you had to commentate over one of the fastest laps, so it was only about a minute long. Then there was another stage where I had to commentate over a full lap instead of a half one.
"Then I had to record a 90-second video where I had to explain why I wanted to win it, and why I should win it.
"I basically said that F1 has been something I have been interested in my whole life and being an F1 journalist or presenter is something I aspire to be.
"So this was an opportunity that wouldn't go to waste. I would try and prove myself during this Bahrain trip."
She added: "It seems crazy to me
"Anyone could enter and someone from County Down came out on top. I really didn't expect to win this at all.
"I can't wait to head over now. I am so excited. I haven't got my full itinerary yet, but the previous winner got a tour of the paddock and to meet some of the drivers.
"They also got a 30-minute commentary slot with Will Buxton, so they commentated over the first couple of laps of pre-testing.
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"I can't wait to see the cars and drivers. And there is so much to talk about because F1 is always evolving."
Yasmin says her favourite driver is Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who unfortunately doesn't have an F1 drive this season.
Ricciardo - the former Red Bull and Renault driver - was with McLaren last year but lost his seat.
"Yeah, that's a bit unfortunate that I won't meet him," Yasmin said.
"I enjoyed watching him and he is a character as well. I think he will be missed.
"But I will get up close with a lot of other drivers, and I have so many questions to ask. I probably won't be able to shut up.
"There is so much to learn in F1. I just try and keep up to speed by watching F1 all the time. I am a bit of an addict. I always want to learn more.
"My mum was a big F1 fan and she travelled to a lot of races during the 1990s. I think I just followed her example."
Yasmin admits her long-term dream would be to secure a job in F1 journalism or television presenting.
"Definitely, that would be a dream job for me. I will pretend I am one when I am in Bahrain," she joked.
"There are more females involved in F1 now, especially in the reporting side of things. That is brilliant to see and hopefully it continues.
"It is very encouraging for the future."
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