KUALA LUMPUR: Natasha Seatter, one of Malaysia’s most recognisable racing drivers, has renewed her call for local motorsport talent based overseas to return and help build the country’s growing sports industry.
Seatter, who last month received the Asean SME Icon Award at the 2025 Asean International Fair for Trade in Services, said Malaysia possesses a wealth of capable drivers, engineers and technical specialists who can strengthen the local motorsport ecosystem.
“We have so many Malaysians with world-class experience who are now working or competing abroad,” said Seatter, the first female driver to win a race in the Middle East back in 2012.
“Several other drivers and I have always believed in sharing our expertise. We should be looking at bringing back, or at least engaging, our talent overseas to help develop the industry.
“Motorsport is much more than just hosting major events – we need to build the entire support system behind it.”
She highlighted Jazeman Jaafar as a strong example of a driver giving back.
The racing driver and entrepreneur, who also serves as executive director of Persona Energy, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to set up the Xcelerator Motor Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme (TTAP Xcelerator).
The initiative aims to offer micro-qualifications to young engineering talent and provide a clearer pathway into motorsport.
“Jazeman spent a lot of his time in London, but it’s programmes like these that show how Malaysians can help lift the whole industry,” Seatter said.
“We need more of this kind of collaboration if we want to develop engineers, mechanics, race marshals, stewards and drivers. There are so many vital components that make motorsport what it is.”
Seatter remains fully active in the sport. After taking a hiatus during which she ventured into property, fintech and automotive sales, she returned reinvigorated in 2021 and is now a team owner through Jane’s Racing Team.
“Motorsport is in my blood,” said the 31-year-old. “Although I took a break for a few years, the lure of racing was too hard to ignore. I see myself driving for a few more years at least.”
On receiving her Asean award, Seatter said: “I was stunned, to be honest. I never expected it. It will motivate me to go faster and continue to be the best I can be.”
Seatter also reiterated her desire to support the Sepang International Circuit’s Driving Excellence Centre.
In 2022, after the venue’s groundbreaking ceremony, Seatter and Nabil Jeffri, one of the youngest drivers to test drive a Formula One car, said they hoped to be involved in the centre.
The DEC is part of SIC’s five-year strategic business plan. Proposed offerings include performance driving experiences, safe driving courses and facility rentals.
SIC’s board of directors approved the project in 2014. Planning and design for the centre took six years, followed by a further two-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Driving Excellence Centre, which began operations in September 2024, is the only facility of its kind in Southeast Asia.