Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania

Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
The Diriyah circuit is part of Formula E's new Trackmania game. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 November 2024
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Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania

Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
  • In partnership with game publisher Ubisoft, Formula E will unveil the Sao Paulo, Diriyah and Miami tracks on Dec. 4

LONDON: Formula E has announced Diriyah as one of three additional tracks in the popular Trackmania game.

Sao Paolo and Miami have also been added following the huge success of the inaugural three circuits featured in the game during year one of the partnership with game publisher Ubisoft.

The coming season features six Formula E circuits, with returning fan favorites Tokyo, Berlin and London joined by the new tracks.

Players will also have access to a bespoke Formula E Championship show car livery as well as those from all 11 race teams. Attack mode and energy management systems will continue to be incorporated via a Formula E game mode, with a competitive live race per circuit and cash prizes up for grabs.

A special test race is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27 so players can familiarize themselves with the tracks and game mechanics before the official season begins.

Starting on Dec. 4, just before Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, the specially designed street circuit will be revealed to Trackmania’s players through a Track of the Day launch, followed by the first official race.

Players will also be able to use 12 car liveries — 11 team skins from Formula E’s Season 11 and an exclusive championship skin.

Sanjay Shivaram, Formula E strategy and business development director, said: “As ever, our aim is to bring our fans closer to the action and as Formula E’s gaming offer continues to grow, we’re thrilled to integrate three new circuits into Trackmania for millions of fans to enjoy.

“It’s important to give fans and players the chance to put themselves in the driving seat and experience the thrill and drama of electric racing themselves. Through launching live races across six iconic Formula E circuits, fans will be able to experience (this) in an alternative, immersive format and take in the action for themselves. With cash prizes and a Grand Winner title to compete for, fans will be able to challenge themselves in their own racing championship and be part of the Formula E gaming community.”

Formula E first arrived in the Kingdom in Formula E’s fifth season and has raced in Diriyah six times. In 2025, the E-Prix moves to Jeddah, taking place on a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Short Circuit on Feb. 14-15.


UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 05 December 2024
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UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • Adam Al-Azhari and August Raber will make their debut for Yas Heat Racing at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend

ABU DHABI: The Formula 4 Middle East Trophy Round returns to Yas Marina Circuit as part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 this weekend. 

Abu Dhabi’s own Yas Heat Racing Formula 4 Middle East team features an exciting line-up of promising young talent, with 15-year-old future motorsport stars Adam Al-Azhari and August Raber both driving for the outfit.

Al-Azhari, who made waves in Formula 4 Spain last season, is eager to build on that experience and develop his race-craft as he represents Yas Heat Racing for the first time at his home track. Joining him is teammate August Raber, whose rise through the karting ranks has made him a talent to watch as he makes his official racing debut at his home circuit.

Meanwhile Emirati racing sensations Amna and Hamda Al-Qubaisi will compete in the Formula 1 Academy finale as Yas Heat Racing ambassadors. Hamda, driving for Red Bull Racing, returns to her home track after a remarkable second F1 Academy season that sees her currently in P6 in the championship standings. Amna, for Visa Cash App RB, continues to blaze a trail for Emirati women in motorsport.

Francesca Pardini of Yas Heat Racing said: “This season marks a new chapter for Yas Heat Racing, with a mix of experienced drivers and emerging talent ready to take on the challenge. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers an unparalleled platform to showcase their skills and their development plan in front of the world’s best racers, setting the tone for a successful year ahead.”

Following the non-point scoring Trophy Round at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the F4 Middle East season will officially begin at Kuwait Motor Town on Jan. 17, with rounds confirmed at both Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome. The venue for the season finale is still to be announced.


After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close
Updated 04 December 2024
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After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

ABU DHABI: Heading into the season finale, Verstappen has won 53 of 89 races in his championship seasons, or 59.6 percent. Verstappen can match Michael Schumacher’s record of five straight F1 season titles (2000-04) by winning again next year. Verstappen joined Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton (2017-20), Sebastian Vettel (2010-13) and Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-57) as drivers with four straight championships. Esteban Ocon, 14th in the point standings, has been released by Alpine and Jack Doohan will replace him in the season finale, making his F1 debut.

The race will take place on the Yas Marina Circuit and is 58 laps long. 

Last year, Max Verstappen won from the pole position, his seventh consecutive victory to end his third consecutive series championship season.

Verstappen, already crowned the season champion for the fourth straight year, won in Qatar for his second victory in three races and ninth of the season.


Dania Akeel makes history as FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024 champion

Dania Akeel makes history as FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024 champion
Updated 04 December 2024
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Dania Akeel makes history as FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024 champion

Dania Akeel makes history as FIA Middle East Baja Cup 2024 champion
  • Commanding performance in final round at Dubai International Baja

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian driver Dania Akeel secured a sensational victory in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup to secure the overall title at last weekend’s three-day Dubai International Baja.

Akeel tackled the four rounds of the prestigious regional Baja series with two different co-drivers and three car preparation companies to amass enough points to win the overall championship and also secure success in the flagship Ultimate category.

Akeel recorded consistent performances at each of the four rounds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Dubai and finished on the FIA Middle East Baja Cup podium at each event.

The Jeddah-based driver secured points with an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux at the opening two Bajas and even led the Qatar event outright after day one.

She then switched to the SSV category for the final two rounds to record  a valuable finish in the Aqaba-based Jordan Baja with a Santag Racing Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR and then a sensational victory at the final round in Dubai with the South Racing Can-Am Team. The success marked a first by a female driver in the history of Middle East motorsport, as Akeel continues to break boundaries and create new benchmarks for women in motorsport.

Akeel said: “The FIA Middle East Baja Cup developed into a very exciting season. Initially, I did not plan to do the whole championship. I took part in the Hail Baja as part of the Saudi Championship and I registered for the FIA Middle East Baja Cup to see how the points would look.

“We had a good result in Hail and then we had the opportunity to race with a Toyota and the Overdrive team in the Ultimate category at the Qatar Baja,” she added. “After that event, we saw that we had taken the lead in the Ultimate class in the Middle East Cup and were in second place in the overall classification.

“With this position, I decided to do the Jordan Baja, because there was only a seven-point gap between myself and the leader of the overall. He was racing in the SSV class and I decided to race in the same class because we needed to close the gap with the leader. After that event, we finished in first place in the Middle East SSV class and we closed the gap to the leader to just two points before the final event in Dubai.

“After racing in SSV, we raced in the SSV class again and we won in Dubai to secure the overall title. It was an exciting championship and it had a lot of elements to consider. It wasn’t just about the team and logistics but we had to think how we could gain the maximum points to win the overall title. I am also very happy that we secured the Ultimate class title but our bigger goal was the overall title.

Akeel credited her success to her dedicated co-drivers Stephane Duple and Sebastien Delaunay and the support of teams such as Overdrive, South Racing, and SRT Racing.

She also acknowledged the backing of her sponsors, including Jameel Motorsport, Tamer Group, Hertz Saudi Arabia, Toyota Motor Oil, BFGoodrich Tires, Accelerom, and Red Bull Saudi Arabia.

She now switches her attention to Jeddah Rally Toyota, the final round of the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, which takes place on Dec. 19-21.


F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
Updated 03 December 2024
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F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
  • 11 percent rise in female interest and 10 percent uptick among male fans in the Kingdom
  • Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021

LONDON: Formula 1 has experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, according to a new study released on Tuesday by Nielsen Sports.

With a global fanbase now exceeding 750 million, the sport has gained 50 million fans since 2021, fueled by rising interest in the Middle East region as well as among young female fans, the report showed.

The study revealed Saudi Arabia as one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets, with an 11 percent increase in fans compared to the 2023 season.

The surge in popularity also spans demographics, with an 11 percent rise in female interest and a 10 percent uptick among male fans. Among older Saudi audiences, enthusiasm has soared, with 22 percent more fans aged 50-69 following the championship than in the previous season.

The UAE also saw a significant boost, with fan interest rising by 6 percent. Together, these countries solidify the Middle East as a critical growth region for Formula 1 in 2024, the Nielsen report concluded.

Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021, with women now making up 41 percent of all fans. Young women aged 16-24 represented the fastest-growing demographic, reflecting the sport’s evolving accessibility and appeal.

Jon Stainer, global general manager at Nielsen Sports, attributed this success to Formula 1’s innovative fan engagement strategies.

“Formula 1 is a perfect example of a rights owner innovating its relationship with fans,” he said.

“Growth of interest, especially among women and newer markets like Saudi Arabia, can be attributed largely to a shift in how the teams and drivers are profiled today, and the access they are affording global audiences.

“New sponsorship categories are opening up. We’re seeing a significant shift in the brands engaging in the sport, attracted to this changing fan demographic,” he added.

Netflix’s acclaimed docuseries, “Drive to Survive,” has played a pivotal role, with 35 percent of viewers of the show expressing intent to watch more races. Another quarter of surveyed fans credited the series with their newfound passion for the sport.

F1’s commercial prospects have also increased, with sponsorship deals seeing a 56 percent rise in value since 2019.

The average sponsorship deal now stands at $5.08 million, up from $2.87 million from pre-pandemic levels. The diversification of sponsors — which range from luxury brands such as LVMH to IT giants such as HP and Dropbox — has cemented the championship’s status as a commercial powerhouse, the Nielsen report said.

While the Middle East leads the charge of new fans, the series continues to thrive in traditional strongholds, especially in Europe. Interest in the UK rose by 2.3 percent, while Germany saw a 4.5 percent uptick.


FIA president denies personally ordering recent firings of 3 F1 race stewards

FIA president denies personally ordering recent firings of 3 F1 race stewards
Updated 02 December 2024
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FIA president denies personally ordering recent firings of 3 F1 race stewards

FIA president denies personally ordering recent firings of 3 F1 race stewards
  • Mohammed Ben Sulayem was emphatic in that he did not order any dismissals and added the FIA has no responsibility to discuss pending personnel changes with teams and drivers
  • George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said all the turnover can be destabilizing to F1

NEW YORK: The president of Formula 1’s governing body denied ordering a recent wave of staff dismissals — including the removal of the race director with three events remaining in the season — amidst mounting criticism from drivers over a lack of transparency by the FIA.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday by telephone during the Qatar Grand Prix and insisted he had not personally ordered the recent dismissals of three race stewards.

“How many times have people who have lost their jobs or positions in companies, when they left, they attacked and blamed?” Ben Sulayem said. “We have nearly 300 (stewards) working for us, so what do I do? I have two choices: I empower the heads of the departments, sit with them and then judge them at the end of the year.”

Niels Wittich, who had been race director since 2022, was surprisingly let go ahead of last week’s race in Las Vegas. The drivers were stunned that the top rule-enforcer during F1 events would be removed with only three races remaining in the season.

Then there were two more dismissals ahead of this weekend’s race in Qatar as race steward Tim Mayer said he was fired by text message, and the FIA said Janette Tan, who was elevated to race director for Formula 2, had left the organization. Tan had just been promoted to the position to replace Rui Marques, who was elevated into Wittich’s position.

The drivers have complained about a lack of consistency from the race stewards for much of the season and have been vocal in their displeasure on a sudden crackdown on cursing. So when they arrived in Qatar to learn two more stewards had been fired, they were perplexed.

George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said all the turnover can be destabilizing to F1.

“That’s very challenging for any team and it must be super challenging for everyone within the FIA right now,” Russell said earlier this week. “So we’d love to get a little bit of clarity and understanding of what’s going on and who’s getting fired next.”

Speaking to reporters in Qatar earlier Sunday, Ben Sulayem seemed defiant in saying it was “none of their business” how he runs things. He was emphatic in that he did not order any dismissals and added the FIA has no responsibility to discuss pending personnel changes with teams and drivers.

“Do the teams and drivers come and tell us when they are making changes? No,” he said.

Earlier this month, the GPDA created an Instagram account solely to publish a statement that urged the FIA to treat drivers like adults. It also asked for Ben Sulayem to consider “his own tone and language” following efforts during his tenure to enforce rules against swearing and jewelry more strictly.

“Just when we’ve asked for a bit of transparency and consistency we’re getting rid of two highly important people in the governing body, so it’s kind of gone in a full 360,” Russell said. “We still don’t have any reasoning for Niels’ removal.”

Ben Sulayem did not give specific reasons for any of the departures, and insisted the “single-seater divisions” made the decisions to replace stewards.

He also said the stewards are tasked with enforcing the rulebook, which was not written by Ben Sulayem. He inherited the rulebook and asked for an enforcement on some things that were being overlooked — such as the cursing, which is prohibited in the code of conduct.

“I did not write the rules and I do not implement them. The rules were before me, some of the rules from 1972,” Ben Sulayem said. “We are setting a clean sport here. We are not saying to them ‘the rule is do not (curse) anytime.’ We are just saying ‘don’t do it when you are at an FIA (news conference).’ We have young people, the age of 5, watching. And even on TV or movies, they always tell you in advance what you will see and that is what this sport has — discipline and respect.”