Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow

Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow
Mitch Evans is targeting victory at the first ever Misano E-Prix. (Formula E)
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Updated 11 April 2024
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Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow

Mitch Evans targets another Italian triumph as Formula E makes Rimini bow
  • The Misano World Circuit in Italy hosts rounds 6 and 7 of the 2024 world championship

MISANO: All eyes will be on Mitch Evans, arguably the most successful Formula E driver in Italy, when the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns this weekend.

New Zealander Evans, with four previous wins in Rome, and teammate Nick Cassidy, will be feeling the pressure of maintaining their “ones to beat” record after securing a 1-2 finish for the Jaguar powertrain last year at the Rome E-Prix.

The championship’s 22 drivers face a new location for the Misano E-Prix, comprising rounds 6 and 7, on April 13-14.

The double-header at the Misano World Circuit is a return to Italy for the next chapter in the battle for the championship in front of an established motorsport fanbase. The adapted circuit is expected to deliver exciting racing to fans in the grandstands and around the world.

For Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara, the race holds special significance, with the Italian-Swiss-French driver eager to perform well in front of a home crowd after his promising performance in Tokyo.

Max Gunther will arrive at Misano fresh off a win in Japan, aiming to capitalize on his momentum and thrill fans with another stellar performance for Maserati MSG Racing on home soil. Oliver Rowland, meanwhile, will hope to extend his impressive streak of podium places, seeking a fourth consecutive top-three finish. With his consistent form, Rowland will be a force to be reckoned with at the weekend.

With the title race wide open, Pascal Wehrlein will also be pushing the limits to sustain his momentum and secure a more comfortable lead in the standings.

For its debut on the Formula E calendar, the track layout will be 3.381 km in length with 14 turns. 

Nestled in the picturesque Rimini province of Italy, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, also known as Misano Circuit Sic 58, has been a staple on the motorsport scene since 1972. Renowned for its rapid, flowing track and wealth of overtaking opportunities, Misano has been a favorite with MotoGP and WorldSBK enthusiasts for decades. 

With its rich history and reputation as a hot spot for motorsport events — the venue also hosts endurance racing, the Ferrari Challenge, DTM (a sports car racing series), and FIA Formula 3 — the venue will be more familiar to some drivers than others.


Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title

Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title
Updated 03 January 2025
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Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title

Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title
  • Five-time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and France’s nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will be piloting Dacia Sandriders, while Spain’s one-time Dakar winner Nani Roma will also be in a Ford
  • One notable absentee from the action will be France’s ‘Mr Dakar’, 14-time champion Stephane Peterhansel, who hung up his keys last year
  • A 434-strong colorful caravan made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks sets out from Bisha with an opening prologue on Friday

BISHA, Saudi Arabia: Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made history when he won his fourth Dakar Rally last year and is confident that he has what it takes to challenge for victory in this season’s grueling race in Saudi Arabia.

Sainz’s fourth title came when he was 61 — the oldest winner of the race and the first Dakar victory for German outfit Audi.

Now 62, the Spaniard — the father of Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz Jr — recently became a grandfather, but the two-time world rally champion known as ‘El Matador’ professes to be in fine form.

“Personally I’ve done everything I can to arrive in a good physical condition and I will give everything to try to have a good race,” Sainz said at the launch of his new Ford Raptor car.

“We are comfortable, we have done all the jobs we can.”

Sainz added: “I expect first of all to enjoy, to have really good fun driving.

“I expect to have not so many problems and I expect to fight for the victory. I’m happy to help to try to win this challenge, the Dakar.”

No one has managed to take a machine fresh from the factory to victory since Ari Vatanen, who triumphed with the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 in 1987 and then with the 405 — its technical heir — in 1989, followed by the Citroen ZX in 1991.

But that hasn’t stopped Sainz’s rivals also choosing to blood new cars over the 5,115 kilometers (3,178 miles) of specials mapped out over 12 stages between Bisha and Shubaytah.

Five-time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and France’s nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will be piloting Dacia Sandriders, while Spain’s one-time Dakar winner Nani Roma will also be in a Ford.

One notable absentee from the action, however, will be France’s ‘Mr Dakar’, 14-time champion Stephane Peterhansel, who hung up his keys last year.

In the bike section, two-time winner Ricky Brabec (Honda) will be back to defend his title, with the American’s main rival likely to be Botswana’s Ross Branch (Hero), second last year.

A 434-strong colorful caravan made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks sets out from Bisha with an opening prologue on Friday.

Twelve stages then await the 778 competitors from 72 countries, with a Jan. 17 finish in Shubaytah, on the border of the UAE.

This year’s route includes a second 48-hour stage in the Empty Quarter, a vast sea of sand with dunes as far as the eye can see.

Introduced last year, organizers said the concept of the stage, during which competitors have to bivouac on the sand and are not allowed outside help, was simple: “Juggling the twin challenges of endurance and performance while blasting through a thousand kilometers of desert in two days.”

“It’s the rally of maturity,” race director David Castera told AFP. “There’s a real level of difficulty, it’s a real, tough Dakar, which will push everyone beyond their limits, beyond their comfort zone.”

The 47th running of the event may be called the Dakar, but the last time the Senegalese capital actually hosted the finish was way back in 2007 — the security situation in Mauritania forced the 2008 cancelation.

It moved then to South America until finding a new home in Saudi Arabia since 2020.


Winners of 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship honored at season awards

Winners of 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship honored at season awards
Updated 30 December 2024
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Winners of 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship honored at season awards

Winners of 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship honored at season awards
  • Kingdom’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi wins for dominance in car category
  • Championships a ‘landmark’ on sports map, says Prince Khalid

JEDDAH: The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation hosted its annual awards here on Sunday to honor the winners of the 2024 Saudi Toyota Championship.

The ceremony was attended by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal, the SAMF’s chairman and CEO of the Saudi Motorsport Co.; Khalid Al-Suwaidan, the SAMF’s CEO; officials from the Ministry of Sports; and local and regional media representatives.

In his keynote address, Prince Khalid said: “The Saudi Toyota Championship has become a landmark on the Saudi sports map, reflecting a new history and a promising future.”

“With your efforts and support, the championship has grown to become the largest motorsports competition in the Kingdom. Today, we celebrate the success of this year’s edition and honor the champions who excelled throughout the season,” he added.

Prince Khalid also thanked King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Minister of Sport for their support.

Al-Suwaidan added that the SAMF was committed to fostering growth and innovation in Saudi Arabia’s motorsports industry.

The awards recognized excellence across various categories, which included Yazeed Al-Rajhi who continued his dominance in the car category of the Rally Championship.

In the Drag Racing Championship, UAE racer Saeed Al-Balooshi was recognized for his win. Others honored were Jordan’s Mustafa Al-Attari for his performance in the Autocross Championship, and Fadi Hamada in the Time Attack Championship and Hill Climb Championship.

In addition, Mohammed Al-Orabi and Malik Mustafa were recognized for their wins in the Drift Championship and Karting Championship respectively.

The event also honored Saudi Arabia’s motorsports icons including Yasser bin Saidan, FIA World Rally Raid champion in the side-by-side vehicle category; Hani Al-Noumasi, FIM Baja World Cup champion in the quad category; Dania Aqeel, FIA Middle East Baja Cup champion; and Fahad Al-Sufyani, FIA Middle East Baja Cup co-drivers’ champion.


F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year

F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year
Updated 20 December 2024
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F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year

F1 Academy ‘wild card’ entry for Saudi driver Farah Al-Yousef in Jeddah next year
  • The all-female event is a support race at the 2025 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian racing driver Farah Al-Yousef will take to the same track as stars such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton when the Formula 1 World Championship returns to Jeddah next year.

The 22-year-old from Riyadh has been selected as the “wild card” entry in the F1 Academy support race during the 2025 Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, which will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from April 18-20.

Al-Yousef will compete in the all-female F1 Academy races against experienced drivers from countries around the world.

She recently qualified for the Formula Woman World Qualifiers in Dubai, where 50 women from 26 countries competed to qualify for the FW Nations Cup Festival. The event is scheduled to take place in the emirate shortly after the 2025 Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix.

Having studied aerospace engineering in the UK, Al-Yousef now plans to focus on her motorsport career. Over the next few months she will test and race behind the wheel of a Formula 4 single-seater car, the same type she will drive in April’s race.

“I’m delighted and so proud to represent my country as the wild card entry for the GP and be the only Saudi Arabia entry for both the GP and the FW Nations Cup,” she said.

“I am so grateful to Saudi Motorsport for assisting me with their support and my training. I can’t wait to start testing again and look forward to having a look at the amazing Jeddah Corniche track.”


President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability

President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability
Updated 14 December 2024
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President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability

President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability
  • ‘Improvement in financial health due to significant reduction of operating costs through an increase in revenues and savings’

DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, has lauded the organization’s return to profitability due to a significant reduction of operating costs driven by an increase in revenues and savings.

The Emirati former professional rally driver, who was appointed FIA president in December 2021, was speaking after financial results to date for 2024 were unveiled at World Council meetings during the FIA General Assemblies Week in Kigali, Rwanda.

The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) is the governing body of motorsport, including Formula 1, and promotes safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users across the world.

The FIA forecasts an operating result of $2.3 million (SR8.6 million) profit in 2024 — a remarkable improvement given that it stood at just over $25 million loss in 2021. The forecast operating result would be the best of the last seven years and the first positive one since 2018.

This accomplishment is the product of a wide-ranging reform of the FIA introduced by 63-year-old Dubai-born FIA President Ben Sulayem. This included a fully independent financial audit of the organization.

“This achievement is a result of our commitment of reform of the organization in the areas of governance and finance,” Ben Sulayem said.

“The new FIA leadership inherited a financial situation which was not sustainable in 2022. We have worked hard to reduce a sizeable deficit and have stabilized the overall financial health of the federation.

“We have implemented cost-containment measures and revenue-generating strategies to put the FIA on a more sustainable financial footing to meet our primary purpose of supporting our member clubs.”

Several measures have been introduced to streamline the FIA’s accounting and reporting procedures to create a sustainable financial model.

Ben Sulayem said that the future of motorsport was being “driven by innovation and purpose,” noting significant investment from the FIA across global grassroots activities alongside substantial research and development in the safety, volunteers and officials spaces.

The Vision 2030: FIA Motorsport Strategy, which provides a substantial platform for growth and further success, was also unveiled in Kigali during the FIA General Assemblies Week, with more details to be shared in 2025.

“This year has been a time of change and growth,” Ben Sulayem said. “We have built a stronger organization redefining our leadership with high-level appointments that bring a wealth of professional experience to the Federation.

“Together, we are forging the future of global motorsport and as we celebrate 120 years of the FIA, we honor the achievements of our past while propelling ourselves to a future driven by innovation and purpose.

“The FIA is on the right track. The 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season was record-breaking and highly competitive, and we continue our collaboration with Formula 1 and General Motors as we move toward an eleventh team on the grid from 2026.”

The 2024 F1 season concluded in dramatic style with the FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship being decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. McLaren claimed the honors in the UAE capital city, winning their first FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 26 years.


Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis
Updated 12 December 2024
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Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis
  • “Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said
  • “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully”

LONDON: Ex-Formula 1 team owner and media personality Eddie Jordan says he has been treated for “quite aggressive” cancer.
Speaking on the “Formula For Success” podcast which he hosts with former driver David Coulthard, Jordan said he was diagnosed this year and urged listeners to seek medical advice for any health concerns.
“Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said.
In response to comments from Coulthard regarding chemotherapy, Jordan added: “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”
Irish businessman Jordan operated his own racing team in lower-level series before moving up to F1 in 1991, giving future seven-time champion Michael Schumacher his first race that year.
Other drivers over the years included Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.
Jordan Grand Prix won four races before Jordan sold the team in 2005. Following more sales and name changes since then, the team competes as Aston Martin.
The 76-year-old Jordan also acted as the manager for car design great Adrian Newey when he left Red Bull for Aston Martin this year.