November 12, 2026
From Zgharta to the summit of “Formula One”: Lebanese competence Youssef Asaad Karam leaves her mark in the world of fast cars
Young Youssef Asaad Karam was born in the Zgharta district and grew up in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where he enrolled at the American University of Beirut (AUB) to obtain a specialized degree in mechanical and software engineering. He translated his early passion for cars and engineering through establishing the car club at the university, before moving to the United Kingdom to pursue graduate studies specializing in the field of racing car aerodynamics at the University of Southampton, which formed the solid foundation for his career in this advanced technological sector.
In 2022, Karam officially joined the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One racing team as an aerodynamics engineer, which is a very important specialty concerned with studying the movement of air around the car and designing elements that enhance downforce and stability to improve performance and speed according to the nature of the circuits. Through this precise technical position, Karam is part of the engineering system behind the competitive performance of the team’s cars at global levels.
Competition in Formula One races is not limited to the skill of drivers only, but extends to include design laboratories and development centers where hundreds of experts work on minute details that decide the difference between winning and losing, which is the pivotal role that aerodynamic engineers play in developing racing cars.
In a related context, the Mercedes team’s victory in the World Manufacturers’ Championship carries special significance, as it is the ninth championship title in the team’s history. This achievement was accompanied by a remarkable Lebanese presence, represented by the participation of Engineer Youssef Karam in the official celebrations on the podium at the Interlagos Circuit in Brazil, confirming the presence of Lebanese competencies in major international institutions and companies.
With this upward path from Zgharta through Beirut and Britain to the Formula One circuits, Youssef Asaad Karam proves that science, specialization and perseverance are capable of delivering Lebanese competencies to the most prestigious and competitive positions in the world.
