Pakistani on track to Formula 1 glory

He would be the first from his nation to compete in the sport, but faces many challenges, including a heavy financial burden

Saad Ali is in good position to become Pakistan's first Formula 1 driver, a seemingly impossible target in a country with no race tracks and where all sport sponsorship money is poured into the national obsession - cricket.

The 28-year-old faces significant hurdles before he can become one of 22 elite drivers at the pinnacle of motor sport, but a decade after his "clueless" beginning as a college dropout hooked on racing, he is edging toward his target.