Yazan was chosen as one of the 30 participants to take part in the FIA excellence academy shootout in Austria, Melk. Out of a total of 2000 applicants, Yazan was one of the three arabs to represent his country in the intense 4 day training shootout, being trained by top professionals such as former f1 driver Alexander Wurz in all areas such as Fitness, Physiological testing, and of course  driving.

Yazan took part in rounds 3&4 of the Formula Gulf 1000 championship, first FIA approved single seater championship in the middle east, which was in the Dubai Autodrome international circuit.  Being a complete stranger to the car and track, Yazan was quick to adapt and was soon setting laps only 2 seconds of the fastest car in the race. Finishing both races in 5th place, and after a weekend where he ran a total of only 40 laps on the car and track, he was setting lap times faster and faster by the lap.