Al-Qemzi faces battle in Lithuania as Palfreyman takes pole

Al-Qemzi faces battle in Lithuania as Palfreyman takes pole
Team Abu Dhabi's powerboat champion Rashed Al-Qemzi hold the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship. (Supplied)
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Updated 17 August 2024
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Al-Qemzi faces battle in Lithuania as Palfreyman takes pole

Al-Qemzi faces battle in Lithuania as Palfreyman takes pole
  • Team Abu Dhabi’s four-time world champion must fight for points after qualifying setback

Klaipeda, Lithuania: Following a setback in Saturday’s qualifying rounds, Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi is facing a big test in Sunday’s Grand Prix of Lithuania as he battles to protect his lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship.

The four-time F2 powerboat champion, whose victory in Klaipeda last season was his third in the Baltic country, will start from seventh place in the third round of the series as Britain’s Matthew Palfreyman claimed pole position.

The Emirati driver looked to be moving through to the six-boat shoot-out before he was eliminated by a dramatic final lap from Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who is a single point behind him in the championship standings.

There was disappointment also for his Abu Dhabi team-mate, Mansoor Al-Mansoori, who failed to progress to the second phase of qualifying and will start tomorrow’s grand prix toward the back of the field.

Fresh from a victory in Norway that gave him the championship lead two weeks ago, Al-Qemzi is chasing a fourth career win in Lithuania and a second in succession, and he arrived in Klaipeda full of confidence.

This season’s F2 championship is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought on record, and there was more evidence of this in the morning free practice session when just 0.219 seconds separated the top three of Finland’s Jarno Vilmunen, Riabko and Al-Qemzi.

It was a similar story in the opening qualifying session, with Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg setting the fastest lap ahead of Vilmunen and Portugal’s Duarte Benavente, and Al-Qemzi in sixth spot.

After producing a superb performance in Norway to finish second behind Al-Qemzi, Al-Mansoori was unable to reproduce that form and dropped out.

With only seconds remaining in Q2, Al-Qemzi looked to be progressing before Riabko produced a fine last lap to edge him out of the top six, as Monaco’s Giacomo Sacchi went quickest.

In the shoot-out, first-round winner Palfreyman, placed third in the championship, saved his best to last to snatch his first F2 pole position from Vilmunen at the death.


F1 champion Max Verstappen the brightest star missing from stacked field at Rolex 24 of Daytona

F1 champion Max Verstappen the brightest star missing from stacked field at Rolex 24 of Daytona
Updated 25 January 2025
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F1 champion Max Verstappen the brightest star missing from stacked field at Rolex 24 of Daytona

F1 champion Max Verstappen the brightest star missing from stacked field at Rolex 24 of Daytona
  • The race that begins Saturday at Daytona International Speedway features 235 of the best drivers in the world representing 31 countries
  • Kevin Magnussen, who in December closed his 10-year F1 career for good, has the most recent series experience out of the 14 former F1 drivers entered

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida: The notorious tune “Du du du duh ... Max Verstappen ...” is likely loathed by every racing driver other than the reigning four-time Formula 1 champion.

But if many of those same drivers had their way, the Dutchman would be in Daytona this weekend racing the Rolex 24 and the song that honors his dominance would be blared throughout the infield during his driving stints.

The race that begins Saturday at Daytona International Speedway features 235 of the best drivers in the world representing 31 countries, and while that count includes former F1 drivers, none are currently active in the global series. Kevin Magnussen, who in December closed his 10-year F1 career for good, has the most recent series experience out of the 14 former F1 drivers entered.

He’s joined in Daytona by former Haas F1 teammates Romain Grosjean and Pietro Fittipaldi, Daniil Kvyat, Kamui Kobayashi, Felipe Nasr, Felipe Massa, Sebastien Bourdais, Paul Di Resta, Will Stevens, Brendon Hartley, Jack Aitken, Gianmaria Bruni and Pascal Wehrlein. Current F1 reserve drivers Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti, and Ferrari development driver Arthur Leclerc are also entered.

The field, simply put, is stacked. But when Australian V8 Supercars champion and NASCAR Cup Series rookie Shane van Gisbergen was asked what driver is missing from the race, his answer was a single name: “Max.”

No one even had to ask which Max he was referring to as he echoed the sentiment of Ben Keating, a co-driver on van Gisbergen’s team.

“I’d like to see Max Verstappen come out here and play around with us,” Keating said.

Van Gisbergen said he’d been messaging with Verstappen during Rolex preparation and, “I think he’d be good here.”

Verstappen drove an Acura sports car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in November ahead of the F1 race there, and has previously indicated he’d someday like to move to endurance racing. He’s an avid SIM racer and the live streams of his sessions draw hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Magnussen predicted Verstappen will eventually make his way to Daytona, in part because “I don’t see him continuing 10 years in F1.”

“He’s a proper racer, so he would do Daytona. Based on all the SIM racing he does and he already has a GT team,” Magnussen added.

Verstappen has previously said his family is planning to form a two-car GT3 team that could compete in series like the GT World Challenge (GTWC) and the idea came from his SIM racing, from 2025 onwards.

“The first step is our own GT3 team and then we’ll see where we end up,” Verstappen previously told Dutch magazine Formule 1. “It would be nice to be able to grow to the highest level in endurance racing.”


GCC rally legends set for iconic reunion in Hail

GCC rally legends set for iconic reunion in Hail
Updated 24 January 2025
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GCC rally legends set for iconic reunion in Hail

GCC rally legends set for iconic reunion in Hail
  • Part of 20th anniversary of Hail Toyota International Rally
  • Retired drivers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman will race

JEDDAH: Several retired drivers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman will participate in a “Legends Rally” as a part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Hail Toyota International Rally, which takes place from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.

The drivers include Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and former member of Al-Faisal Racing Team, Qatari champion Saeed Al-Hajri, and Saudi rally champion Abdullah Bakhashab.

Other participants include Saudi rally champion Ahmed Al-Sabban, Omani rally champion Hamad Al-Wahaibi, and Saudi rally driver Farhan Al-Shamri, winner of the first edition of the Hail International Rally.

The event is sponsored by the Saudi motor federation and Jameel Motorsports.

The Hail Toyota International Rally covers the first rounds of several contests including the FIA World Cup for Baja Cross-Country Rallies, Middle East Baja Cup, Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship, and FIA World Cup for Baja Cross-Country Rallies for motorcycles.

The local and international drivers competing in the two-day event for cars and motorcycles include world champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi, world champion Juan Cruze Yacopini, Dania Aqeel, Saleh Al-Saif, Maha Al-Hamli, Hamza Bakhashab, Miroslav Zapletal and Abdullah Al-Shaqawi.


Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15

Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15
Updated 23 January 2025
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Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15

Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15
  • Feature will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology, add thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races
  • Formula E co-founder says Pit Boost will challenge teams, drivers to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure

JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to revolutionize the race-day experience with the launch of Pit Boost, a new feature debuting at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
Designed to enhance strategy, unpredictability and fan engagement, Pit Boost will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology while adding a thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races across Season 11.
Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer, Formula E, said: “After an extensive testing and simulation process, we’re pleased to finally present this game-changing technology to the world. It marks one of the most ambitious and impactful additions not just to our series, but also to modern-day motorsport.”
Pit Boost will challenge teams and drivers alike to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure, he added.
“The potential for dramatic overtakes, unexpected twists and human ingenuity will elevate the excitement for our fans, and showcase Formula E and the FIA’s relentless commitment to innovation,” Longo said in a statement on Thursday.
Marek Nawarecki, senior circuit sport director, FIA, said: “This pioneering new feature will add another strategic element to the sport.”
What is Pit Boost?
Pit Boost is an innovative mid-race feature that provides a 10 percent energy increase (3.85 kilowatt-hours) to race cars through a 30-second, 600kW rapid recharge in the pitlane. The mandatory sporting feature — deploying more than double the power of current consumer superchargers — adds another strategic element during select races, with the potential to dramatically alter race outcomes and tactics.
Strategic racing impact
Pit Boost is set to redefine race strategies in Formula E. Drivers and teams will have to weigh the benefits of an energy boost against the risk of losing track position during the pit stop. Choosing the optimal moment for their Pit Boost will be pivotal, introducing heightened stakes and an extra layer of drama to every race.
As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues to lead the charge in advancing electric mobility, Pit Boost highlights the rapid progress in EV charging technology. The innovation addresses one of the key challenges in EV adoption — charging speed and time — and demonstrates Formula E’s unique position as a “race-to-road” technology platform.


F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules

F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules
Updated 23 January 2025
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F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules

F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules
  • Similar punishments also apply for “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA“
  • The standard fine is 10,000 euros but punishments for F1 drivers are multiplied by four

PARIS: Formula 1 drivers could be suspended from racing or lose championship points for swearing or making political statements under new rules from the series’ governing body, the FIA.
That could deepen a rift with the drivers, who criticized the FIA last year after Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were punished for swearing in FIA news conferences.
These measures published by the FIA on Wednesday apply to “misconduct,” which is defined by the FIA as including both offensive language and physical assault, or for acts deemed to cause “moral injury or loss” to the FIA and auto racing in general.
Similar punishments also apply for “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA” without written approval in advance.
The new regulations are labeled as a “guideline to assist stewards” on punishments and fines starting from 40,000 euros ($41,600) for an F1 driver’s first offense. The standard fine is 10,000 euros but punishments for F1 drivers are multiplied by four.
The suggested fine doubles for a second offense, along with a suspended one-month ban. A third offense within a two-year period carries a proposed fine of 120,000 euros ($125,000) for an F1 driver, a one-month ban and the loss of an unspecified number of championship points.
In cases involving political, religious or personal statements, the FIA regulations also specify the stewards should demand a “public apology and repudiation of comments.”


Lewis Hamilton waves to fans as he drives a Ferrari F1 car for the first time

Lewis Hamilton waves to fans as he drives a Ferrari F1 car for the first time
Updated 22 January 2025
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Lewis Hamilton waves to fans as he drives a Ferrari F1 car for the first time

Lewis Hamilton waves to fans as he drives a Ferrari F1 car for the first time
  • Hamilton was behind the wheel of a 2023-specification Ferrari SF-23 bearing his racing number, 44, at the team’s Fiorano test track
  • The 40-year-old British driver set out for his first lap at 9:16 a.m. local time in light fog and twice waved to a crowd of around 1,000 spectators

MODENA, Italy: Lewis Hamilton greeted a crowd of waiting fans on Wednesday as he drove a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time since joining the Italian team for the 2025 season.
Hamilton was behind the wheel of a 2023-specification Ferrari SF-23 bearing his racing number, 44, at the team’s Fiorano test track, and wore a new helmet design in yellow with a prominent Prancing Horse logo.
The 40-year-old British driver set out for his first lap at 9:16 a.m. local time in light fog and twice waved to a crowd of around 1,000 spectators, who had gathered on a nearby bridge despite the cold and wet weather.
Part-way through the day, Hamilton headed over to fans who had waited for hours in the wet conditions since early morning for a glimpse of him behind the wheel. Wearing a jacket in Ferrari red, he waved, gave a thumbs-up gesture and put a hand to his heart.
There was excitement Wednesday from one of Italy’s biggest sports stars, too.
After reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open, top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was asked by an Italian reporter if he had seen anything on social media about Hamilton’s Ferrari debut.
“It’s still pretty strange to see him in red,” Sinner said, “but it’ll be a great season.”
Hamilton has shaken up F1 with his move to Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles. He has said he’s fulfilling a childhood dream.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realize that dream today,” he said Monday after arriving at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters for his first day at work with the new team.
F1 tightly restricts teams from testing current-specification cars but the rules are more loose for older cars like the SF-23 that Hamilton drove Wednesday. The F1 regulations for 2025 allow Hamilton to drive up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) over four days in older F1 cars under the “testing of previous cars” rule. The SF-23 is the most recent Ferrari that’s eligible.
Pre-season testing for the new season’s cars is from Feb. 26 through 28 in Bahrain.