164 racers set for start of 5th Hail Toyota International Rally
Competitors from 24 countries will line up at Al-Maghwah Park on Thursday
Updated 07 February 2024
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: The fifth Hail Toyota International Rally will get underway on Thursday with 164 car and motorcycle racers from 24 countries set to line up at Al-Maghwah Park.
The race, which marks the first event of the FIM Bajas World Cup and the Saudi Toyota Championship, will take place from Feb. 8 to 10 with 97 vehicles — containing varying numbers of drivers — competing in the car category, 25 racers participating in the motorcycle class, and six on quad bikes.
The three-day route through the deserts surrounding the north-central city will feature a challenging course made up of 85 percent open desert, 10 percent gravel and dirt tracks, and 5 percent sand dunes in the Great Nafud desert.
Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Saif, chairman of the Hail rally’s executive committee, said the city was all geared up to host the 2024 edition, organized by the Hail Region Development Authority and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
The event was being held under the patronage of Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad Al-Saud, the governor of Hail region, chairman of the HRDA, and organizing committee chair.
Twelve cars will compete in a new ultimate group (formerly T1 and T1P), with a further 12 in the challenger, three in stock, and 15 in SSV categories.
Defending Saudi Toyota Rally champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk finished as runners-up in both last year’s FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the FIA World Baja Cup, and they head the ultimate group entry in a Toyota Hilux.
Leading Saudi female driver Dania Akeel, who is taking part in the race for the fourth time, said she was targeting the title of champion of the 2024 Hail Toyota International Rally in the women’s division as well as the T1 Plus category in a Toyota Hilux with her team Overdrive.
Meanwhile, Saudi rally driver Maha Al-Hamly was all set to go after recently taking part in the Saudi Dakar Rally, during which she was involved in an accident in the Empty Quarter.
The first edition of the Saudi Toyota Championship took place in 2019, before returning in 2022 and 2023 after a two-year absence. The championship runs in seven cities around the Kingdom, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Tabuk-NEOM, Al-Baha, Qassim, and Hail.
F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix
McLaren driver Norris admitted his disappointment at missing out on a front row start
Updated 01 December 2024
AFP
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
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
Updated 30 November 2024
Arab News
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
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
Updated 30 November 2024
SALEH FAREED
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 started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second
Updated 30 November 2024
AP
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.
From Turkiye to Saudi Arabia: A rally champion’s historic comeback
Burcu Cetinkaya, winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now competing in World Rally Championship round in KSA
Updated 30 November 2024
MENEKSE TOKYAY
ANKARA: “Attention, Female Driver!” — a phrase often found on humorous but outdated and sexist stickers — takes on a powerful new meaning when referring to Burcu Cetinkaya, one of Turkiye’s most celebrated rally drivers.
Far from being a cautionary quip, it becomes an invitation to witness a trailblazer who is not only reclaiming her place in the World Rally Championship, or WRC, but also reshaping the narrative for women in motorsports — a field historically dominated by men.
Cetinkaya, an eight-time Turkish Ladies Rally Champion and the winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now embarking on her journey to compete in the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
She has expressed immense excitement about returning to the WRC rallies, as her last participation was back in 2018. She regards the WRC, hosted by the International Automobile Federation, as the pinnacle of global motorsport competition.
Speaking exclusively to Arab News during the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, Cetinkaya reflected on her difficult WRC appearance in 2018.
“I wasn’t ready, the car wasn’t ready and everything felt rushed. It was a harsh reminder of how much preparation and focus this sport requires. But deep inside, my love for rallying never faded — it only grew stronger,” she said.
Cetinkaya, an eight-time Turkish Ladies Rally Champion and the winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now embarking on her journey to compete in the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)
The turning point came when her former manager, Pier Liberali, invited her to a rally in Italy. That invitation reignited her passion and brought her back to the track, competing in the Turkish Rally Championship with a Renault Clio Rally3.
Winning the Ladies Rally Championship for the seventh and eighth time in consecutive years proved to her that her passion for the sport could overcome any challenge.
“This year, my dream to return to international rallies came true. Discussions with my co-driver, Fabrizia Pons, and the excitement of WRC returning to Saudi Arabia pushed me to prepare for my comeback, starting with the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held this September.
“Rallying is not just about winning — it’s about finding yourself through every twist, turn and obstacle. And for me, that journey has been worth every struggle,” she said.
Competing in Saudi Arabia is meaningful for Cetinkaya, both personally and professionally, as it is a full-circle moment that reflects how far things have come — not just in the region, but also in the world of motorsport.
“I’ve raced in the Middle East Rally Championship and traveled extensively in Saudi Arabia, even filming and following events like the Hail Rally. Yet, back then, I wasn’t even allowed to drive on the roads, let alone compete,” she said.
Beyond racing, Cetinkaya has made significant contributions to the global promotion of motorsport. (Supplied)
When Cetinkaya first heard that women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, she was ecstatic.
“During the Formula One race in Jeddah, I asked my driver if I could just take the wheel for a moment — just one meter — to feel what that represented. It was a small but powerful experience that I’ll never forget,” she said.
Hearing that WRC was coming to Saudi Arabia felt like the culmination of so much progress.
“Now I have the chance to compete at the highest level of rallying. It’s both a personal triumph and a testament to how change is possible when barriers are broken,” she said.
Cetinkaya’s impressive career includes three years in the Middle East Rally Championship, where she achieved podium finishes in Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar — often standing out as the sole female driver on the podium among a field of men.
“The Middle East Rally Championship that I competed in for three years and also the Qatar Rally Championship, where I finished second overall after the Al-Kuwari brothers, was an amazing experience. It’s much different from the World Rally Championship. There are parts that are easier and parts that are harder,” she said.
“The easier part is that the races are shorter, but the desert conditions were not something that I was used to. When you’re on the mountain roads, you can read the terrain a little, but in the desert it’s much harder to anticipate what’s ahead. Also, the locals were very experienced with the stages, but I wanted to fight hard to secure a top podium position in the general classification.
“Slowly but surely, managing that throughout these three years was an amazing experience. I think at the time, I would have loved to continue and try to win the Middle East Rally Championship, but life is also full of twisty roads. My adventure was just three years long, but who knows? Maybe someday I will come back because it was beautiful,” she added.
Cetinkaya with Fabrizia Pons. (Supplied)
In February this year, Cetinkaya was appointed chairperson of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Women in Motorsport Commission during the World Motor Sport Council, becoming the first non-EU citizen to hold the prestigious position.
Competing in Turkish, Middle Eastern, European and World Rally Championship events taught Cetinkaya to focus on constant self-improvement: Identifying her weaknesses, building on her strengths and evolving with every race.
“But over time, my perspective has shifted. While I still love the thrill of rallying and give my best every time I compete, my greatest joy now comes from seeing others succeed — especially women in motorsport. As the chair of the Women in Motorsport Commission at the FIA, it’s an honor to support and inspire young girls to step into this incredible world,” she said.
Moments like watching an 8-year-old girl on the podium in the Cross-Car Mini Category at the Motorsport Games, knowing she is there under the wings of her commission, bring Cetinkaya a kind of fulfilment that is unmatched. Seeing these young talents and knowing she can help pave the way for their success is the most rewarding part of her journey right now.
She often reflects on her own childhood experience, remembering how she was inspired to start rally driving after attending a rally aged 12.
“At the time, a Turkish champion rally driver, Emre Yerlici, was racing with an Opel Calibra. There was a big battle between him and Iskender Atakan. When I saw that rally as a 12-year-old child, because of my father’s job, I fell in love with rallying. I fell in love with how it was a team effort and how it required overcoming so many challenges,” she said.
Cetinkaya with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. (Supplied)
Beyond racing, Cetinkaya has made significant contributions to the global promotion of motorsport. She has spearheaded educational collaborations with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and Red Bull, and has conducted outreach programs at universities in Pakistan.
“Rallying may have started as my personal passion, but it’s grown into a mission to empower others to achieve their dreams,” she said.
Cetinkaya now looks forward to racing in Saudi Arabia not just for the sport itself, but also for the symbolic power of what it represents: Growth, opportunity, and a future where women can fully take part and shine in motorsport.
She expressed her admiration for the emerging talents from the Middle East, highlighting the region’s growing impact on the global motorsport scene.
“I am so proud and happy to see a lot of talents rising from the Middle East,” Cetinkaya said. “In the Formula 1 Academy, the Al-Qubaisi sisters are present, especially Hamda Al-Qubaisi, who is doing an amazing job.
“Dania Akeel from Saudi Arabia is a rising star in rallies like Dakar, Reem Al-Aboud has driven a Formula E car on International Women’s Day and Reema Juffali was the wildcard entry in the Saudi GP for the Formula 1 Academy. And let’s not forget Nada Zaidan, who competed in many rally events.”
