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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
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Updated 30 November 2024

SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
  • Second qualifying session for Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe continues on Saturday
  • Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar crowned as winners of the first race

RIYADH: The SAL Jeddah GT 2024 is set for another entertaining day at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Saturday, with the second qualifying session for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, supported by AWS, starting at 11:45 a.m.

The session lasts one hour in preparation for the official six-hour, 1,000-km race starting at 5 p.m. Additionally, the second race of the European GT4 Series, supported by Club Raffa Racing, will begin at 2:15 p.m., lasting one hour.

Organized by the Saudi Auto and Motorcycle Federation, or SAMF, and the Saudi Motorsports Company under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports, the race began on Friday in the presence of Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the board of directors of SAMF and the Saudi Motorsports Company, crowned Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar as winners of the first race.

They were followed by Alex Denning and Thomas Emson from Elite Motorsport in second place, just 3.472 seconds behind. Their teammates, Joshua Rattican and Thomas Lepinon, finished third, 2.117 seconds behind. Meanwhile, Team Spirit of Le Mans came fourth, and Les Places Biavenoy was ranked fifth.

In the Pro-Am category, AFR-Avatar clinched first place, ranking seventh overall, while Raison Moon secured second place, followed by Mirage in third. In the amateur category, Schumacher CLRT claimed first place, ranking 16th overall, followed by NM Racing in second (20th overall) and EV in third.

The gates for fans opened at 10 a.m., offering various entertainment zones, children’s play areas, interactive games and virtual reality experiences.


Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concludes Round 1 

Opening round of the Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concluded Sunday at Bahrain International Circuit.
Opening round of the Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concluded Sunday at Bahrain International Circuit.
Updated 12 October 2025

Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concludes Round 1 

Opening round of the Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concluded Sunday at Bahrain International Circuit.

MANAMA: The opening round of the Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship, certified by the FIA, concluded on Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit.

ALTAWKILAT Motorsport promoted the event under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The second and final race of the round delivered an exceptional level of competition, characterized by skillful driving and intense battles until the very last moment. At the end of the race, Elsa Cammilleri, sporting coordinator, single-seater junior categories, presented the first-place trophy to Emirati driver Adam Al-Azhari (Valvoline), while Fiona Rees, head of sporting for the championship, awarded the second-place trophy to Emirati driver Theo Palmer (JACO). Mohammed Al-Dossari, CEO of Teleios X, presented the third-place trophy to Dutch driver Nina Gademan (CARAAGY).

Cammilleri also presented the Best Female Driver Award to Gademan in recognition of her outstanding performance over the weekend. Jonathan Wells, motorsport manager for the Middle East, Africa and India region at Pirelli, presented the Best Rookie Award to Thibaut Ramaekers.

Earlier in the day, the second qualifying session brought an atmosphere of excitement and close competition among the drivers. The session saw Al-Azhari secure pole position, followed by Palmer in second, Ramaekers (Zahid) in third, American driver Ava Dobson (PEAX) in fourth, and Kit Belofsky (PEAX) rounding out the top five on the grid.

The Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship reflects SAMF’s ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering young national talent by creating a competitive environment that hones their skills and prepares them for participation in regional and international championships. It also underscores the federation’s dedication to positioning the Kingdom as a leading destination for motorsport and enhancing the international presence of Saudi drivers in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to empower youth and advance the country’s sports sector.

The championship calendar features five rounds in total, offering a dynamic season that showcases both regional and international circuits. The Bahrain International Circuit will also host the second round on Oct. 15–16, before the action moves to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest street circuit, for the third round on Nov. 10–11. The fourth round will take place on Nov. 14–15, leading to an exciting conclusion with the final round on Dec. 5–6, once again at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.


‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026
Updated 12 October 2025

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026

‘I feel in excellent condition’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi wraps up 2025 rally season in Morocco ahead of Dakar 2026
  • Rallye du Maroc, offering terrains and weather conditions resembling those of Dakar Rally, prepares drivers for world-famous endurance rally taking place in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in January

FEZ, MOROCO: ºÚÁÏÉçÇøâ€™s Yazeed Al-Rajhi is set to conclude his 2025 season with his ongoing participation in the Rallye du Maroc, the fifth and final round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, or W2RC.

The event runs from Oct. 10-17, featuring some of the world’s top drivers and manufacturers in a challenging desert showdown.

As one of the most significant rounds of the W2RC calendar, the Rallye du Maroc serves as the ultimate pre-Dakar test, offering terrains and weather conditions that closely resemble those of the legendary Dakar Rally. It serves as an ideal opportunity for teams and drivers to evaluate their physical, mental, and technical readiness ahead of the 2026 season.

Al-Rajhi entered the Moroccan round alongside his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, with whom he recently competed in two preparatory events — Baja Sharish and Baja Portugal — as part of a structured recovery and conditioning plan following his crash at Baja Jordan on April 25. Those rallies marked key steps in his gradual return to top-level competition and endurance form.

“I feel in excellent condition, Alhamdulillah,†said Al-Rajhi. “The Rallye du Maroc is a crucial step for us — it’s where we test everything: my fitness, the car’s setup, and the overall team coordination. The goal is to start Dakar 2026 at 100 percent readiness.â€

This year’s Rallye du Maroc covers a total distance of 2,299 km, including 1,478 km of timed special stages spread across five loop stages, all starting and finishing in the same region.

Four stages will be based around Erfoud, known for its demanding dunes and navigation challenges, with an opening ceremonial stage in Fez.

The Moroccan desert’s combination of sand, rocky tracks, and variable terrain makes it one of the toughest events on the calendar, a true endurance benchmark ahead of Dakar 2026.


Preseason testing for Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship wraps up in Bahrain

Preseason testing for Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship wraps up in Bahrain
Updated 11 October 2025

Preseason testing for Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship wraps up in Bahrain

Preseason testing for Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship wraps up in Bahrain
  • Jacob Micallef of Team Zahid is fastest in day’s first session with a time of 2:08.238, while Theo Palmer of Team JACO tops the second session with 2:07.613
  • The championship shifts gear into race mode on Saturday and Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit, followed by Round 2 at the same track on Oct. 15-16

MANAMA: Preseason testing for the 2025 Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship concluded on Friday at the Bahrain International Circuit, marking the final stage of preparations ahead of the opening race of the season this weekend.
Both of the official testing sessions were marked by excitement and intense concentration, accompanied by close technical monitoring by the participating teams. In the first session, Jacob Micallef of Team Zahid recorded the fastest lap time of 2 minutes 8.238 seconds, with an average speed of 151.9 kph, just 0.004 seconds ahead of Scott Kin Lindblom from Team Red Bull, followed by Thibaut Ramaekers, also from Team Zahid.
In the second session, driver Theo Palmer of Team JACO achieved the best time of 2 minutes 7.613 seconds, with an average speed of 152.6 kph, 0.002 seconds ahead of Kit Belofsky from Team PEAX, with Adam Alzahrani from Team Valvoline recording the third-best time.
Testing is a key milestone in preseason preparations that enables teams to evaluate the performance of their second-generation Tatuus F4-T421 cars and refine setup before racing begins. Friday’s sessions also gave drivers an invaluable opportunity to gain confidence and sharpen their racecraft under real race conditions on a technically demanding circuit known for its mix of fast straights and tight corners.
With testing complete, the 2025 Aramco F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship shifts gear into race mode on Saturday and Sunday at the Bahrain International Circuit, followed by Round 2 at the same track on Oct. 15-16.
The action moves to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøâ€™s Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in the world, for Rounds 3 and 4 on Nov. 10-11 and Nov. 14-15, before concluding with a final round on Dec. 5-6, also in Jeddah.
The F4 ºÚÁÏÉçÇøn Championship, part of an FIA-sanctioned, single-seater, entry-level series, aims to provide a key platform for the development of emerging motor sport talent in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and the wider region. The event is promoted by Altawkilat Motorsport under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.


Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship
Updated 08 October 2025

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship
  • Jeddah Grand Prix 2025 will take place Nov. 27-29

JEDDAH: The city of Jeddah is gearing up to host the fourth round of the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship on Nov. 27-29.

The Jeddah Grand Prix will be held as part of Jeddah Season 2025, following the recent handover of the championship’s hosting flag to the Saudi delegation during a special ceremony in Shanghai, China, attended by Nicolo di San Germano, the founder and international organizer of the F1 Powerboat World Championship.


FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed

FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed
Updated 08 October 2025

FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed

FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed
  • The deadline for putting forward candidates for the WMSC list was September 29
  • Three potential candidates have stated their intention to stand against the Emirati

LONDON: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the head of Formula One’s governing body, could be re-elected unopposed in December after a list published on Wednesday left rivals seemingly unable to secure the necessary support to stand.
The International Automobile Federation named 29 people who are eligible for its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), from which list each presidential candidate must draw a team of seven potential vice presidents for sport in order to progress to a vote.
Two must come from Europe and one each from South America, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East/North Africa.
South America has only one person on the list, however: Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, who is a current vice president for sport representing the continent and one of the most senior women at the FIA as well as being the wife of former F1 supremo Bernie.
The FIA said the absence of any other candidate from South America on the list could be due to no other member club putting anybody forward or to someone failing to secure the approval of the FIA nominations committee.
The deadline for putting forward candidates for the WMSC list was September 29.

THREE RIVAL CANDIDATES HAVE SIGNALLED INTENTION TO STAND
Africa has just two names on the list, Kenya’s Amina Mohamed and Rodrigo Rocha from Mozambique, and both have pledged allegiance to the incumbent with Rocha named on Ben Sulayem’s team.
Three potential candidates have stated their intention to stand against the Emirati, with American former Formula One chief steward Tim Mayer the main rival and first to announce his candidacy.
Two little-known female candidates — Swiss racer Laura Villars and Belgian model and journalist Virginie Philippot — have also put themselves forward more recently in media reports.
None of the three have so far named any members to their teams.
Ben Sulayem, who was elected in 2021 and has had a controversial first term as president, announced his running mates in September.
There was no immediate comment from Mayer, who will be attending next week’s US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and is expected to meet the media then.
Candidates for the presidency must submit their complete lists by October 24 and cannot include a candidate already entered on another presidential list.
The election will be held on December 12 at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.