Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026

Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026
The Saudi Next Gen Program has selected drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Alshegawi and their navigators Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr as the Kingdom’s representatives for the Dakar Rally 2026. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 January 2025

Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026

Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026
  • Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Alshegawi, Raed Alassaf, Fahad Alamr to represent
  • Program conducted under direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi

BISHA: The Saudi Next Gen Program has selected drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Alshegawi and their navigators Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr as the Kingdom’s representatives for the Dakar Rally 2026.
The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and the Saudi Motorsport Company, through the Saudi Next Gen Program under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, announced the selection of the two crews on Tuesday.
Their selection follows great performances and relevant progress during rigorous training and competitions, marking a significant step in the Vision 2030 initiative to support and develop Saudi talents in motorsports.
The selection process involved rigorous evaluations, including theoretical and practical training sessions as well as field tests led by motorsports experts.
The program was conducted under the direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi, a four-time Dakar finisher, alongside program ambassadors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Yasir Bin Seaidan, and Mishaal Al-Ghneim.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the chairman of the SAMF and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “We are proud today to announce the winners of the Saudi Next Gen Program, who will have the opportunity of participating in the Dakar Rally 2026, one of the most challenging and renowned races in the world.”
He added that the initiative was not merely a competition but part of Saudi Vision 2030, adding: “It is an opportunity to prepare a new generation of exceptional Saudi drivers who will lead motorsports in the Kingdom to new horizons.”
The four talents are to undergo comprehensive preparation, including specialized training on desert terrains, guidance from a seasoned technical team, and logistical support from the organizing entities.
They will also compete in national-level championships to refine their racing skills and build competitive experience, ensuring they are fully prepared for the Dakar Rally.
The announcement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to advance motorsports and nurture a new generation of Saudi drivers to compete globally.
The Saudi Next Gen Program is a key initiative aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a premier destination for motorsports while inspiring Saudi youngsters to pursue their dreams in the field.
The program featured five nominated drivers who participated in rigorous training sessions in Bisha between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, under the guidance of Mossi. The program included practicing with Yamaha SSV vehicles and navigating five stages designed to simulate desert rally terrain.


World champion Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia MotoGP practice

World champion Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia MotoGP practice
Updated 03 October 2025

World champion Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia MotoGP practice

World champion Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia MotoGP practice
  • Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez fell twice on Friday in a crash-filled practice for the Indonesia MotoGP as Marco Bezzecchi clocked a blistering fastest time

LOMBOK: Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez fell twice on Friday in a crash-filled practice for the Indonesia MotoGP as Marco Bezzecchi clocked a blistering fastest time.
Spanish great Marquez took a spill early on in the afternoon session, sliding off the track, before returning only to suffer a heavier crash after a wobble threw him off his Ducati.
The 32-year-old was able to recover but could only set the 11th-fastest time, leaving him out of the top 10 and dropping into the first round of qualifying on Saturday for the first time this season.
It was instead Aprilia’s Bezzecchi who set the standard in humid conditions at the Mandalika track on the resort island of Lombok.
The Italian, fourth in the overall standings, recorded a best time of 1min 29.24sec, 0.408sec ahead of Ducati’s Fermin Aldeguer and 0.424sec faster than KTM’s Pedro Acosta.
Marquez will be joined in Q1 by two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia, third in the championship standings, who struggled to a 17th-fastest time.
Marquez, who has already set a single-season points record for a MotoGP rider, can still reach the second qualifying round if he finishes fastest or second-fastest in the first qualifying session.
His brother Alex, second in the overall standings, also went down in a painful crash but his bike bore the brunt of the damage. He sneaked into Q2 on Saturday with the 10th-fastest time.
A dramatic practice session also saw Johann Zarco and Enea Bastianini crash.
Honda’s Luca Marini topped the morning practice session, with Marc Marquez fifth.
The top 10 fastest riders in practice book their tickets for Saturday’s second qualifying session, which shapes the first four rows of the grid.
This group is then joined by the two fastest riders from the first qualifying session.
Qualifying determines the grid for both the sprint race on Saturday and the main event GP on Sunday afternoon, with a maximum 37 points available.


Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup
Updated 02 October 2025

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup
  • Team will be represented by one of Extreme E’s most successful driver pairings — Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor

JEDDAH: Jameel Motorsport has announced its entry in Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup. Behind the wheel will be one of the most successful driver pairings in Extreme E history, Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor.

The championship’s first and only n team, Team Jameel Motorsport, will be competing in both Extreme competitions, beginning with Extreme E’s Final Lap (Oct. 4-5) before the FIA Extreme H World Cup presented by PIF launches in Qiddiya City the following week (Oct. 9-11).

Officially launched in December 2023, Jameel Motorsport has steadily built a name for itself ever since, establishing Rally Jameel, the first off-road navigation rally for women in the Middle East; supporting the Saudi Toyota Championship, the biggest motorsport championship in the region; and other grassroots racing programs such as the GR Saudi Driving School.

Jameel Motorsport sponsors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, part of the Overdrive Racing team, who won the 2025 Dakar Rally — the first time a n team has won the famous event. Its entry into Extreme E and Extreme H with Hansen and Taylor reflects Jameel Motorsport’s commitment to innovation and competition and provides a strong addition to its long list of achievements so far.

In addition to this, Jameel Motorsport is advancing sustainable motorsport through a sponsorship with ROOKIE Racing, which fosters Saudi talent and inclusivity, while winning international marketing and digital innovation awards in the process.

Munir Khoja, managing director of Jameel Motorsport, said: “Joining Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup marks a bold move for Jameel Motorsport, demonstrating our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the thrill of competition. This collaboration aligns perfectly with ’s Vision 2030, advancing a vibrant society and a thriving economy through cutting-edge motorsport.

“We remain committed to supporting the growth of motorsport locally and globally as well as positioning as a leader in sustainable motorsport.”

Hansen is one of rallycross’s biggest stars. The young Swede won the 2016 European Rallycross title and has finished in the top three in the FIA World Rallycross Championship three times — he was third in 2019 and runner-up in 2023 and 2024, with four event victories to his name in the series too. Hansen also won the second Nitro Rallycross competition at the 2019 Nitro World Games, and with five Extreme E victories to date, is the series’ second-most-successful male driver.

“To be part of Jameel Motorsport’s debut in Extreme E and Extreme H is a huge honor,” Hansen said. “Molly and I have shared so many battles and victories together, and now we get the chance to represent the first n team in this new chapter of sustainable motorsport. Competing in , with its deep commitment to innovation with Vision 2030, makes this even more special. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and help write the next page in Extreme history.”

Taylor made her name in rallying. The Australian was the 2009 and 2010 ladies champion in the British Rally Championship, and has three titles in her native country, taking the T16 crown in the Australian Rally Championship in 2007 and 2008, and the overall crown in 2016. Taylor is also an Extreme E champion, having won Season 1 with Johan Kristoffersson for Rosberg X Racing, and with eight X Prix wins under her belt, she is the series’ most successful female driver.

“This is such an exciting step, both to be back racing with Kevin and to join Jameel Motorsport as they enter Extreme E and Extreme H,” Taylor said. “From Day 1, Extreme racing has been about proving what’s possible in sport, technology, and sustainability, and to now be part of the first Saudi team on the grid is a privilege. Racing in Qiddiya City, against the backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, will be an unforgettable way to launch this next era.”

Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E and Extreme H, said he was “delighted” to welcome Jameel Motorsport to Extreme E and Extreme H as the first ever n team.

“Jameel Motorsport’s proven record in developing motorsport at every level, from grassroots initiatives to world-class competitions like Dakar Rally and Rally Raid, along with their leadership in advancing female talent through drivers such as Dania Akeel, reflects our own mission to push boundaries and inspire change,” he said. “With Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor, two of the most successful drivers in Extreme E history, this team is perfectly placed to make an immediate impact.”

Qiddiya City is the world’s first city built entirely for play, where entertainment, sport, and culture converge. The race will take place with the dramatic backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, close to the site currently being transformed to become a world-leading motorsport venue.

The FIA Extreme H World Cup presented by PIF will be the first international race event to use hydrogen-powered vehicles; marking a new future for motorsport, defined by cutting-edge technology and bold ambition.


Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe
Updated 26 September 2025

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe
  • Hamilton said Roscoe was resuscitated after his heart stopped while under sedation for pneumonia treatment
  • “We don’t know whether he’ll wake from this,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram

SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, Italy: Lewis Hamilton missed a chance to test Formula 1’s 2026 tires for Ferrari on Friday as he stayed with his bulldog Roscoe, who was in a coma following a pneumonia infection.
Hamilton said Roscoe was resuscitated after his heart stopped while under sedation for pneumonia treatment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“We don’t know whether he’ll wake from this,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “Tomorrow we’ll try to wake him up. I’m by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.”
Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate George Russell offered support, commenting: “Thinking of you mate.”
The 12-year-old Roscoe has been a regular sight in the F1 paddock for much of Hamilton’s career and has 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu took part in Friday’s test with tire supplier Pirelli at the Mugello circuit in Italy alongside Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc.
The test runs were disrupted by rain which meant Leclerc and Zhou spent most of the day on intermediate and full wet tires, rather than the hard-compound slicks they were meant to be testing. It was a chance to gather data ahead of wide-ranging changes to F1 regulations in 2026.
Also Friday, Romain Grosjean got back behind the wheel with the Haas team in a 2023-specification car at Mugello. It was a symbolic and emotional return to F1 five years after a fiery crash in his last race of 2020.
“Fantastic, just felt a bit rusty at first and then everything came back,” Grosjean said, adding he was in tears under his helmet visor at the sight of staff from Haas, Ferrari, Red Bull and Pirelli applauding on his final lap.
“I’m very, very grateful. There are just no other words,” he said.
Grosjean wore a helmet with designs drawn by his children. He planned to wear it for what would have been his final race in 2020 in Abu Dhabi, but had to miss it because of burns sustained in the crash a month earlier in Bahrain.


Saudi Toyota Championship 2025 ready for thrilling opening round in Riyadh

Saudi Toyota Championship 2025 ready for thrilling opening round in Riyadh
Updated 23 September 2025

Saudi Toyota Championship 2025 ready for thrilling opening round in Riyadh

Saudi Toyota Championship 2025 ready for thrilling opening round in Riyadh
  • Al-Janadriyah hosts the opening event, bringing together top drivers from the Kingdom and the region

RIYADH: Motorsport fans will turn their attention to Al-Janadriyah Parking Area this weekend — and the opening rounds of the Drift and Autocross Championships, part of the 2025 Saudi Toyota Championship calendar.

The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, supported by the Ministry of Sport, in collaboration with official partner Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.

This round will see a distinguished lineup of drivers from across the Kingdom and the region and is part of the SAMF’s efforts to expand ’s motorsport base.

The championship also serves as a vital platform for young Saudi talent, offering professional opportunities in a competitive environment that meets the highest international standards.

The round will begin with registration and administrative checks, followed by technical inspections, before concluding with a drivers’ briefing.

The drift competition takes place over three rounds, with the drivers demonstrating their skills in car control and drifting across specially designed tracks. Competitors will be judged according to criteria such as precision, vehicle control, speed and overall style.

The autocross competition also features three rounds and focuses primarily on driver skill and accuracy. Participants will face the challenge individually on a traffic cone-lined course — a narrow and precise layout that demands the highest levels of concentration and control.

The Saudi Toyota Championship made its debut in 2019, marking a milestone for motorsport in the Kingdom. It has since grown into one of the region’s most significant racing series, bringing together diverse competitions such as rally, time attack, hill climb, drag, karting and esports, as well as autocross and drift.


Max Verstappen wins in Baku as Piastri crashes out, Sainz hails podium as career best

Max Verstappen wins in Baku as Piastri crashes out, Sainz hails podium as career best
Updated 21 September 2025

Max Verstappen wins in Baku as Piastri crashes out, Sainz hails podium as career best

Max Verstappen wins in Baku as Piastri crashes out, Sainz hails podium as career best
  • Verstappen leads every lap to win in Baku, Piastri crashes on opening lap, lead slashed to 25 points
  • Norris starts and finishes seventh with Russell second, Sainz third
  • McLaren kept waiting for 10th constructors’ title

BAKU: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to a dominant Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory while Oscar Piastri crashed on the opening lap and had his Formula One lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris slashed to 25 points.

McLaren had hoped to secure their 10th Formula One constructors’ title, and second in a row, on Sunday with a record seven rounds remaining but must now wait until Singapore on October 5 after their lowest scoring weekend of the season.

George Russell finished second for Mercedes, who moved up to second place and 333 points behind McLaren with 346 still to be won, and Carlos Sainz third for Williams’s first podium finish since 2021.

Norris started and finished seventh in what will rank as a missed opportunity, with six points gained on his rival but his chances of more scuppered by a slow 4.1-second pitstop for the second successive race.

VERSTAPPEN WINS SECOND RACE IN A ROW

The win was Verstappen’s second in a row and he led every lap from pole to flag, also setting the fastest lap for a “Grand Slam” that revived his slim title hopes with the reigning champion now 69 points behind Piastri.

He took the chequered flag 14.609 seconds clear of Russell, after being more than 32 seconds clear before taking his pitstop.

“I think this weekend has been incredible for us,” said Verstappen after his 67th career win, fourth of the season and second in Baku after a 2022 victory. “For us to win here again is just fantastic.

“We had clean air all the time and you could then look after your tires. And yeah, it was pretty straightforward.”

Russell, recovering from sickness and starting fifth on the grid, was happy to see a rough weekend finish strongly while Sainz — voted driver of the day — was the happiest man on the podium.

“I cannot describe how happy I am and how good this feels. It tastes even better than my first ever podium,” said the Spaniard, a four-times race winner with Ferrari who had started on the front row.

The big story came on the opening lap when Piastri, who crashed in qualifying and started ninth, jumped the start and went to the back of the field before plowing into the wall at turn five.

The uncharacteristic errors ended the Australian’s record of being the only driver to score in every race this season and also put the brakes on a run of 34 races in the points.

He had not failed to finish a race since his 2023 rookie season.

“Certainly not my finest moment,” the 24-year-old told Sky Sports. “I just anticipated the start too much and yeah...silly simple error really.”

CAREER HIGH RESULT FOR LAWSON

Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli was fourth for Mercedes, redeeming himself after a poor home race weekend at Monza, with New Zealander Liam Lawson enjoying a career-high fifth for Racing Bulls.

Yuki Tsunoda was sixth for Red Bull with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following Norris home in eighth and ninth, with the pair swapping places on team orders because Hamilton had fresher tires.

French rookie Isack Hadjar made it a double points finish for Racing Bulls in 10th.

Piastri’s crash brought out the safety car, a regular feature of races in Baku, and provided the main drama of the 51- lap race around the windy city streets where the threat of a downpour failed to materialize.

Norris lost a place to Hadjar and was then passed by Leclerc when the race re-started after the safety car period.

The Briton followed Leclerc past Hadjar, whose car had suffered an hydraulics problem before the start, and could have passed both Leclerc and Lawson had his pitstop not cost him critical seconds.

He ultimately passed Leclerc with 10 laps remaining but was unable to find a way past Tsunoda.

“I did the best I could yesterday, the best I could today,” said Norris.

“Every race I didn’t win was an opportunity missed, so of course today I wanted more. It was not a good result, but I couldn’t do anything more today.”