Kuala lumpur: Jazeman Firhan Jaafar, a seasoned figure in the world of motorsport, is leveraging his extensive experience to pave the way for Malaysian talent in the industry. Having spent over 20 years in racing, Jazeman's journey from a potential Formula One driver to a prominent figure in Le Mans has equipped him with invaluable insights into the motorsport arena. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jazeman established Persona Energy Sdn Bhd in 2018, which runs the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP). This initiative is designed to provide Malaysian engineers, mechanics, and technical talents with exposure to international motorsport and industry partners. Supported by notable organisations like Porsche, Bosch Engineering, and Yayasan Raja Muda Selangor, TTAP has already seen 95 talents participate, with many securing positions in the industry or pursuing further studies. Participants in TTAP undergo a seven-month program, requiring them to gain practical experience by attending at least th ree races. These events take place across various locations, including Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia, depending on the racing calendar. Jazeman aims to make TTAP self-sustaining, hoping to integrate 10 to 20 Malaysian talents into the racing industry annually and eventually expand the program across ASEAN. Jazeman's own journey began at the age of six when he tried go-karting in Shah Alam, leading to national and Asian championships. By 15, he moved to Europe, where he spent nine years building a professional racing career. His exposure to the developed motorsport industry in Europe brought him close to Formula One, with offers from teams like Force India and Manor. However, financial and political challenges prevented him from securing a deal. Despite the setback, Jazeman redirected his career towards endurance racing, particularly with Mercedes-AMG. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018, finishing fourth in the LMP2 class. Jazeman remains passionate about racing and believes Malaysia h as the potential to nurture professional racing careers. However, he stresses that reaching higher levels like F3, F2, and F1 requires significant sacrifices and early career development overseas. Jazeman highlights that Malaysia has historically focused more on commercial involvement in F1 rather than developing local technical talent. He believes that the country has the technical capabilities required for high-level motorsport roles and advocates for extracting more benefits from hosting international events. As Malaysia prepares to host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Jazeman emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on the "spillover effects" of international motorsport. While Malaysia benefits from business spillovers, Jazeman suggests that more can be done in talent development and technology transfer. He calls for coordinated efforts between various entities and the government to build a sustainable ecosystem beneath major races. Through TTAP, Jazeman is striving to change the landscape by building international links and offering pathways for Malaysian talents. His efforts reflect a commitment to opening doors for others in the industry, drawing from his own experiences in motorsport.