șÚÁÏÉçÇű

Bakhashab clinches Hail Legends Rally title

Bakhashab clinches Hail Legends Rally title
Abdullah Bakhashab and French co-driver Sebastein Delanuay receiving their award after winning the second and final stage of the Legends Rally in Hail on Saturday. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 02 February 2025

Bakhashab clinches Hail Legends Rally title

Bakhashab clinches Hail Legends Rally title

HAIL: Saudi rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab and French co-driver Sebastien Delaunay stormed to a commanding victory in the second and final stage of the Legends Rally in Hail on Saturday.

Bakhashab set the pace in the Toyota Hilux from the start with an impressive time of 04:40:10. The duo set the fastest time in each stage in a dominant performance.

Despite the dramatic victory, it was Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal who captured the headlines after an accident shortly before the end of the second stage in which his vehicle rolled over.

He was able to continue, with he and co-driver Pablo Morena of Spain finishing in fourth with a time of 05:48:24.

Second overall position went to Essa Al-Dosari with a time of 05:30:53, while veteran Saudi driver Ahmed Al-Sabban secured third with 05:45:05.

Speaking after the race, Bakhashab said he was delighted to win the Legends category, part of this year’s Hail Toyota International Rally, but that the victory was unexpected given his 15-year absence from rallying.

“I was following a strategy of taking my time so that I could pass Prince Khaled and the rest of my colleagues, and thank God I succeeded and was able to arrive first and win the title,” he said.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan congratulated Bakhashab, saying: “Abdullah was able to win the challenge with his experience, and this is not strange for him as a champion with titles and achievements.”

On his accident, he added: “Thank God we came out of this race safely, and I promise you that we will be crowned in the next rally. The challenge is still on with Bakhashab and the other competitors.”


George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix
Updated 04 October 2025

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix

George Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Singapore Grand Prix
  • Russell crashed in practice on Friday but drove brilliantly around the Marina Bay track in the final round of qualifying
  • McLaren need 13 points from their two drivers in Sunday’s race to clinch a second consecutive constructors’ championship title

SINGAPORE: George Russell put Mercedes on pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen taking the second spot on the front row and complaining of being obstructed as he tried to chase down the Englishman.

Russell crashed in practice on Friday but drove brilliantly around the Marina Bay track in the final round of qualifying to put in two laps worthy of pole, his best timed at one minute 29.158 seconds.

“Amazing to be on pole position,” said Russell. “Yesterday was a very challenging day for many different reasons, but it’s good to come back and get a good result today. Of course, there’s a long, sweaty race tomorrow.”

Dutchman Verstappen, who won the last two rounds of the championship from pole, was 0.182 seconds back but disgruntled after being blocked by the McLaren of Lando Norris and making a mistake on his final flying lap.

“That’s what happens when there’s a car in front of you, just cruising two seconds in front,” said the four-times world champion.

“I think it’s quite clear that that’s not nice when it happens. It could have been avoided.”

Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who leads Verstappen by 69 points in the drivers’ standings, will start on the second row after clocking the third fastest time.

“Obviously, I would have wanted more, but I don’t think we had four tenths in it to go and get pole,” said the Australian.

“It was a pretty clean session so that’s all I can ask for.”

Kimi Antonelli will start in the other Mercedes on the second row of the grid alongside Piastri, whose teammate Norris was fifth fastest and will line up in row three with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

McLaren need 13 points from their two drivers in Sunday’s race to clinch a second consecutive constructors’ championship title.


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 șÚÁÏÉçÇűn 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 șÚÁÏÉçÇűn 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 șÚÁÏÉçÇű’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 șÚÁÏÉçÇű 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 șÚÁÏÉçÇűn team in this new chapter of sustainable motorsport. Competing in șÚÁÏÉçÇű, 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 șÚÁÏÉçÇűn 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 șÚÁÏÉçÇű’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.