Countdown to Diriyah E-Prix officially underway with electrified entertainment fast approaching

Countdown to Diriyah E-Prix officially underway with electrified entertainment fast approaching
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Pascal Wehrlein, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, Porsche 99X Electric Gen3, 1st position. (Supplied)
Countdown to Diriyah E-Prix officially underway with electrified entertainment fast approaching
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A week ahead of the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s highly anticipated return to Saudi Arabia, excitement among the Kingdom’s motorsport enthusiasts is at record levels. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 January 2024
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Countdown to Diriyah E-Prix officially underway with electrified entertainment fast approaching

Countdown to Diriyah E-Prix officially underway with electrified entertainment fast approaching
  • Rounds 2, 3 of the season promise thrilling moments
  • Host of major stars targeting success at event

DIRIYAH: A week ahead of the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s highly anticipated return to Saudi Arabia, excitement among the Kingdom’s motorsport enthusiasts is at record levels.
As the world’s top drivers prepare to battle it out in back-to-back night races at the Riyadh Street Circuit on Jan. 26-27, audiences are gearing up for electrified entertainment.
Rounds two and three of the 2023/24 season promise to present thrilling moments, mass excitement, and exceptional high-speed racing as teams and drivers go head-to-head in a showcase of speed, strategy, and sustainable racing excellence.
Returning with a record-extending sixth edition, the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix promises non-stop action and an unforgettable race experience with a host of major stars targeting success.
After winning the season’s opener in Mexico City last weekend, Pascal Wehrlein arrives in Saudi Arabia with some momentum.
The TAG Heuer Porsche driver, the winner of both Diriyah E-Prix races last term, is optimistic he and his team can have a “strong weekend,” but is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “Winning here last year was pretty special and we obviously had a fantastic start to the season in Mexico but nothing is guaranteed.
“Just because we won Riyadh last year or we won the last race in Mexico doesn’t mean Riyadh will be easy for us. There’s still a lot we need to do to make sure we are on top, and hopefully we have a strong weekend again. But for me, it’s so tight that small differences can make a big difference in the result. It will be pretty hard again, I’m sure.”
Wehrlein faces stiff competition. Reigning world champion Jake Dennis and former champions Antonio Felix da Costa, Sebastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi, Nyck de Vries, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Jean-Eric Vergne are among the 22 drivers lining up on the grid.
Many others also have Formula E race victories on their records — including Sam Bird, Edoardo Mortara, Maximilian Gunther, and Robin Frijns — and will be looking to add to their tally next week.
The Diriyah E-Prix is the latest illustration of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting the very best international events across all sports. While enabling the Kingdom to build relationships and showcase the nation’s passionate sporting culture to the world, hosting events such as the e-prix provide new opportunities for Saudis to be inspired, pursue dreams, and realize potential.
The Diriyah E-Prix is part of a year-round schedule of international sports in the Kingdom, with motorsport, football, boxing, tennis, esports, combat sports, golf, and equestrian events all locked in so far for 2024.
Fans can secure their seats at https://webook.com/en/events/2024-diriyah-e-prix. Grandstand and general admission tickets are available from SR100 ($26).


Ferrari celebrates Endurance Cup glory as Mercedes-AMG team dominates 6 Hours of Jeddah

Ferrari celebrates Endurance Cup glory as Mercedes-AMG team dominates 6 Hours of Jeddah
Updated 01 December 2024
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Ferrari celebrates Endurance Cup glory as Mercedes-AMG team dominates 6 Hours of Jeddah

Ferrari celebrates Endurance Cup glory as Mercedes-AMG team dominates 6 Hours of Jeddah
  • Pier Guidi secures record third Endurance Cup title
  • First GT endurance event in the Kingdom proves popular with fans and drivers

Jeddah: Ferrari squad AF Corse — Francorchamps Motors secured teams’ and drivers’ titles at Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS after an astonishing finish to the 6 Hours of Jeddah.

The season-closing race was won in commanding fashion by the #48 Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter entry of Maro Engel, Lucas Auer and Daniel Morad, who emerged as leaders during the third hour and ran a faultless race thereafter. Behind them, a late full-course yellow and safety car shuffled the pack and paved the way for an incredible conclusion.

Crucially, the late neutralization allowed the #51 Ferrari of Alessandro Pier Guidi, Alessio Rovera and Davide Rigon to move back into title contention. The pole-sitting car led early on but slipped down the order in the middle phase of the race and looked to be out of the hunt when it received a 30-second stop-go penalty for breaching track limits.

But by making its final stop during the full-course yellow the Ferrari vaulted to sixth for the late restart. Guidi was at the wheel for a typically inspired charge through the order, the Italian ace overhauling the Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin, the #46 Team WRT BMW and the #32 Team WRT BMW to snatch third.

This was enough to secure Guidi a record third Endurance Cup crown and Rovera his first while Rigon, who was absent from the Monza round, joined his teammates in their celebrations. The #163 Grasser Racing Lamborghini of Marco Mapelli, Jordan Pepper and Franck Perera finished as runner-up on the road and in the drivers’ standings.

In the final run to the flag the #51 Ferrari was under significant pressure from Dries Vanthoor in the #32 BMW. The Belgian needed to take the place to wrestle the overall Fanatec GT Europe drivers’ title from Engel and Auer but could not find a way past. Despite this, WRT was able to capture the overall teams’ championship for a record-extending fifth time.

Sainteloc Racing secured the Gold Cup teams’ and drivers’ titles with its crew of Gilles Magnus, Jim Pla and Paul Evrard. They did so in style, winning a competitive class battle ahead of the #777 AlManar Racing by GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG and the debuting #85 Imperiale Racing Lamborghini.

The Silver Cup title was settled last time out at Monza in favor of Winward Racing. As such this class fight was all about pride and Sainteloc Racing rose to the occasion with one of the most impressive performances of the weekend. The #26 Audi of Ezequiel Perez Companc, Lucas Legeret and Kobe Pauwels led the entire race and finished 13th overall, beating the #10 Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG and the #12 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin.

Finally, the Bronze Cup victory went to Rutronik Racing with its #97 Porsche crew of Dustin Blattner, Loek Hartog and Dennis Marschall. This would not be quite enough to secure the Endurance Cup crown, which was retained by the impressively consistent Chris Froggatt, Jonathan Hui and Eddie Cheever. The latter pair also secured the overall Bronze Cup title, but Rutronik’s win gives them the teams’ championship on a tie break.

The race was punctuated by a long full-course yellow and safety car period around the one-hour mark, caused by a heavy crash involving the #111 CSA Racing Audi and the #8 Kessel Racing Ferrari. Arthur Rougier was at the wheel of the Audi and was taken for further medical checks, while Nicolo Schiro was able to get out of his Ferrari unaided.

The 6 Hours of Jeddah took Fanatec GT Europe to a new and highly impressive venue, one that received universal praise from the drivers. It proved popular with the public too, as 11,500 people were present to witness the Kingdom’s first GT endurance race. They will not have left disappointed.

The event concluded an unforgettable 2024 campaign highlighted by the centenary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and this weekend’s maiden trip to Saudi Arabia. Although the celebrations have just begun, preparations for 2025 will begin soon. Indeed, in fewer than 100 days cars will be back on track for the official Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard.

 


F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix

F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix
Updated 01 December 2024
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F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix

F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix
  • McLaren driver Norris admitted his disappointment at missing out on a front row start

DOHA: Newly-crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position for five months on Saturday when he beat George Russell in a tense and tight qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver had forecast he would continue to struggle for pace after a disappointing showing in the earlier sprint race, but late set-up changes enabled him to clock a fastest lap in one minute and 20.520 seconds.
Russell was second for Mercedes just 0.055 seconds adrift of pole ahead of Norris, who needed a late lap to grab third for McLaren, 0.252 off the pace, ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was sixth in the second Mercedes ahead of Carlos Sainz, in the second Ferrari, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Sergio Perez, in the second Red Bull.
Kevin Magnussen was 10th for Haas.
It was Verstappen’s career 41st pole and his ninth of the season.
“I didn’t expect that,” said Verstappen. “Honestly! But well done to the team to give me a car that feels a bit more connected — and once the car is a bit more together you feel you can push harder.”
The final seconds of the session saw Verstappen criticized by Russell for running too slowly in front of him.
“Super-dangerous by Verstappen,” said the Mercedes driver, whose thoughts prompted the stewards to investigate.
“I ended up going through the gravel and all over the floor it felt like it was scraping,” said Russell.
Norris admitted his disappointment at missing out on a front row start.
“It’s not what we hoped for, but it was the maximum we could do. My lap was pretty good, but not quick enough.”
Hamilton, set for Ferrari next year, finished sixth, admitting: “I don’t really care. I just want to get through these races, do my job, turn up and look forward to the winter break.”
After the early laps, Verstappen led before Russell went top in 1:21.519, a time that was seven-tenths quicker than Hamilton’s best as he struggled to extract matching pace on his way to ninth.
With four minutes to go, Russell offered Hamilton a tow which lifted him to sixth, 0.118 off the pace in a tight field before Russell trimmed two-tenths off his best lap in 1:21.241, beating Leclerc by 0.037 with Sainz third ahead of Norris.
Out went Alex Albon and his Williams team-mate Franco Colapinto along with Liam Lawson of RB, Haas’s Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
Russell began Q3 in the same style, clocking 1:21.161, but his top spot was quickly taken by Verstappen in 1:21.085, Red Bull’s set-up changes, following the sprint, paying dividends.
On his second run, Russell improved to go top again by 0.001 seconds, but it was not enough in improving conditions to resist a revitalized Verstappen, or Norris, who clocked 1:20.983.
It looked solid for McLaren, but in a final flurry of laps Verstappen went top in 1:20.687 with Hamilton rising to fifth, within 0.026 of Russell in fourth, and Alonso and Magnussen claiming top ten spots.
The ‘top 10 shootout’ began with Russell topping the pile in 1:20.575 ahead of Leclerc on their opening runs when Norris ran off at Turn Five and failed to clock a time before Verstappen slotted into second.
This left McLaren in need of a strong late lap in the final seconds as they all ran again and Verstappen, against his own forecasts, secured pole ahead of Russell and Norris — his first pole since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.


Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
Updated 30 November 2024
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Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah

Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
  • The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title
  • The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of 8th or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take 5th at the Saudi venue

JEDDAH: French racers Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche secured a fourth successive GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club victory by taking Saturday’s season finale in Jeddah.
However, the win was not enough to stop Tom Lebbon and Josh Rattican from being crowned 2024 Silver class champions, said a media statement.
The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title and did exactly that thanks to another inch-perfect performance.
The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of eighth or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take fifth at the Saudi venue.
Meanwhile, NM Racing Team bagged the Pro-Am win, while a third-place result was enough to seal the class crown for Finn Zulauf and Max Kronberg (#30 W&S Motorsport Porsche). Am honors went to Kevin Jimenez and Florent Grizaud (#72 GPA Racing Aston Martin), who triumphed for a second time this term.
Speedcar Audi had qualified on pole, but started fourth on the grid following a penalty for Consani blocking a rival car during qualifying. The Frenchman wasted no time in returning to the front, immediately jumping to third before passing both the pole-sitting #77 Elite Motorsport McLaren and the #17 L’Espace Bienvenue BMW on successive laps.
As the race settled down the #3 Audi established an advantage at the head of the field and remained in control following a full-course yellow and safety car intervention.
Behind, the #17 BMW held on to second ahead of the #77 McLaren, the #62 Academy Motorsport Ford and the #78 McLaren.
The front two remained unchanged after the pit window, while the Ford leapfrogged the #77 for third spot. Now in the hands of Lariche, the Audi stretched its advantage significantly during the second half. Indeed, by the time the checkered flag fell the Frenchman was more than 11 seconds clear of the #17 BMW.
The Team Speedcar crew had done everything they could to snatch the title.
With the Audi disappearing up the road, attention switched to the progress of the #78 McLaren, which was driven by Rattican during the second stint.
He lost a place to the #82 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin of Jamie Day, who also overhauled the #77 McLaren a few laps later. The #78 then passed the sister car, which had been handed a five-second track limits penalty.
Rattican could have cruised to the finish, but instead spent the closing minutes in a close-fought battle for the final spot on the podium, which ultimately went to the #82 Aston Martin after a last-lap pass on the #62 Ford.
There were nervous faces in the Elite garage, but the McLaren squad could breathe a sigh of relief when Rattican crossed the line in fifth to seal the Silver title.
The GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club will return on Apr. 11-13 when Circuit Paul Ricard launches another season of multi-class racing.


Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
Updated 30 November 2024
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Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit

Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
  • BMW driver competing in Saudi Arabia for first time says: ‘I really like the atmosphere’
  • Rossi chasing victory in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe final round

JEDDAH: After finishing his opening laps on Jeddah Corniche on the first day of the final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, Italian race car driver and former motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi said that racing at the Jeddah Circuit is both an exciting and challenging experience.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the day, Rossi said that he enjoyed the experience behind the wheel on the fastest street circuit in the world.
“First of all, let me say that this is my first time in Saudi Arabia and I really like the atmosphere. We are really enjoying our stay while competing.
“Regarding the circuit, it is surrounded by walls as it is a street circuit, which makes the race more difficult with 49 cars racing on the circuit at the same time.
The Italian racing legend — known as “The Doctor” because of his clinical dismantling of opponents — said: “My first impression was OK. It is very slippery and you have to go fast between the walls, but in the end we got used to it through the last two days since we arrived.”
He added: “It is well known that street circuits often require extra effort from drivers. The walls are very close to the track.”
The BMW factory driver told Arab News that he is enjoying competing in the GT World Challenge Europe, and hopes to continue with a positive result on the final day on Saturday.
“We really had a good season and our performance is getting better in the hope to bring a successful result Saturday night,” he said.
The seven-time MotoGP world champion retired from MotoGP in 2021, and is currently competing in both the World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW.


Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
Updated 30 November 2024
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Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title

Norris hands Piastri the win in Qatar sprint as McLaren closes in on the F1 constructors’ title
  • Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second

LUSAIL, Qatar: McLaren neared its first Formula 1 constructors’ title in 26 years as Lando Norris handed Oscar Piastri victory in a one-two finish for the team in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday.
Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second.
Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying his teammate back for gifting him a win in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Russell finished third.
Verstappen — crowned the drivers’ champion last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car’s nose.
Qualifying takes place later Saturday for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.