Charbel Ibrahim is a Lebanese child, approximately 8 years old (originally from the Byblos district in Lebanon), who gained widespread fame as the youngest car drifter in the Arab world. His talent for driving emerged at an exceptionally young age—he began racing with karting cars at the age of four and by eight, he had already mastered the art of drifting using a real car modified to fit his size. Charbel stands out for his confidence and control behind the wheel despite his young age, capturing the attention of motorsport fans across Lebanon and the broader region.
His family has played a crucial role in nurturing his talent. They provided him with a specially adapted car to ensure his safety during training sessions. For example, the car’s pedals were extended so he could reach and control them with his feet. The vehicle was also equipped with safety features such as proper seat belts, child racing seats, and a roll cage. Charbel trains in closed circuits under the supervision of professionals, not on public roads, to eliminate risks. These precautions were emphasized in response to concerns raised by some viewers who questioned the safety of such a young child performing dangerous stunts.
Rise to Fame and Viral Videos
Charbel’s journey to fame began when social media videos of him drifting a real car at just 7 years old went viral around April 3, 2024. In one particularly famous video, Charbel is seen confidently sliding a modified car through a drift circuit with the skill and style of an experienced driver. The clip astonished viewers and was quickly shared across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, with many dubbing him a “surprise prodigy of the car scene.”
This surge in popularity led to increased media coverage. Lebanese news pages started referring to him as the youngest drifter in the Middle East. He also began appearing in local video interviews and received invitations to car shows where he performed live drifting demonstrations in front of cheering crowds.
Among his early milestones was his participation in youth drifting competitions, where he competed against teenagers nearly twice his age. Despite being the youngest, Charbel impressed judges and spectators alike, even earning a special title, “Hoonigan”, in a junior drifting contest. His training under Lebanese drift champion Oliver Kik at the “Drift King Academy” helped rapidly refine his abilities.
Charbel Ibrahim: The Youngest Drifter in the Arab World
By late 2024 and early 2025, his fame had grown beyond Lebanon. On May 29, 2025, he was featured in a morning show segment on Sky News Arabia, introduced as “a young child passionate about drifting and driving.” The segment included footage of Charbel executing clean, controlled drifts and a short interview where he expressed his dream of becoming a professional drift champion.
Another widely shared video showed Charbel performing at a live event in Dubai, drifting his modified BMW in front of a large audience. His social media accounts—managed by his parents—regularly share his latest stunts and training progress, amassing thousands of enthusiastic followers.
Public Reaction
Reactions to Charbel’s rise have been mixed. Most viewers admire his extraordinary talent, calling him a “wonder kid” and “mini drift king.” Many consider him an inspiration for how passion and skill can flourish even at a young age. However, others expressed concern about encouraging such high-risk behavior in children, even in safe environments. Critics urged caution and emphasized the need for proper guidance and long-term safety planning.
In response, Charbel’s family and coaches clarified that all his training occurs in controlled conditions and that he will not drive on public roads until he reaches legal age. They reiterated that his current activities are purely for sport, and not a call for reckless behavior.
Drifting Culture in the Arab World
Drifting—also known as “tafheet” in Arabic—is extremely popular among young people in the Arab region, especially in the Gulf. It involves intentionally losing tire traction while maintaining control of the vehicle, producing smoke and loud tire screeches. Although drifting began as an underground street phenomenon, it has evolved into a legitimate motorsport in many countries, with organized competitions and safety regulations.
The roots of the modern drifting culture in the Arab world trace back to Saudi Arabia in the 1980s, when young drivers began celebrating national events, like football victories, by drifting across dunes and eventually city streets. With the advent of smartphones and social media, videos of drifting became viral sensations, encouraging more youth to mimic the trend.
To provide safer alternatives, several Arab countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, and the UAE, host legal drift events like the Red Bull Car Park Drift, offering platforms for enthusiasts to showcase their skills responsibly. These competitions have also helped uncover regional drift champions who now compete internationally.
Legal Consequences of Illegal Drifting
Despite its popularity, illegal street drifting remains a serious concern due to its deadly consequences. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, drifting-related accidents have resulted in many deaths and injuries over the years. This led the government to implement some of the strictest traffic laws in the world.
As of 2024, Saudi law enforces escalating penalties for illegal drifting:
- First offense: Vehicle is impounded for 15 days, and the driver is fined SAR 20,000, with possible court referral.
- Second offense: 30-day impoundment, SAR 40,000 fine, and potential imprisonment.
- Third offense: Permanent vehicle confiscation or a fine equal to the car’s value, SAR 60,000 fine, and mandatory court trial that may lead to jail.
In severe cases, illegal drifting that causes fatalities has been treated as criminally negligent homicide. In one infamous case in 2012, a drifter nicknamed “Mtanesh” was executed in Saudi Arabia after causing the death of two innocent people during a street drift. The court sentenced him to public beheading as a deterrent for others.
Other Gulf countries also respond harshly. In Qatar, for example, the Ministry of Interior impounded and destroyed a drifter’s vehicle in December 2024 as part of a crackdown on reckless driving. The video of the vehicle being crushed in a scrapyard went viral as a clear warning to offenders. Similarly, in the UAE and Oman, laws allow for vehicle confiscation, hefty fines, and long-term license suspension—even for spectators who gather to watch illegal drifting events.
Influence of Drifting Celebrities on Youth
Figures like Charbel Ibrahim inspire both admiration and debate. On one hand, his story is a testament to how talent can flourish when supported properly. Many children may now aspire to pursue karting or legal motorsports, setting them on the path to becoming professional racers.
On the other hand, there’s a risk that teens and young adults may try to imitate such stunts unsafely to gain social media fame. The glamorization of drifting, especially by influencers and YouTubers, may tempt some to experiment with dangerous driving outside controlled environments. Traffic authorities across the region have warned about this trend, emphasizing that celebrating illegal drifters only fuels the problem.
Charbel’s own family is well aware of this. In interviews, his father has confirmed that he is only allowed to drive under supervision in closed tracks, and that their goal is to nurture a future champion—not encourage illegal behavior.
Conclusion: Charbel Ibrahim a future world champion?
Charbel Ibrahim represents a double-edged sword. He is both an inspiring child prodigy and a reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with media fame at a young age. With proper training, safety precautions, and guidance, his passion could turn into regional or even international success.
But for society at large, especially parents and educators, it’s essential to ensure that admiration doesn’t turn into imitation in the wrong context. If channeled correctly, drifting could evolve from a public hazard into a recognized motorsport, one that transforms risky behavior into controlled excellence—and Charbel might just be the Arab world’s next champion leading that change.
