Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Diriyah E-Prix track designed to test drivers’ skills to the limit


Diriyah E-Prix track designed to test drivers’ skills to the limit

1 / 3
‘Last year it took us 90 days to build the entire track. This year, we only had four weeks to modify the track and build the whole venue,’ says Samer Issa-El-Khoury. (Supplied)
2 / 3
‘Last year it took us 90 days to build the entire track. This year, we only had four weeks to modify the track and build the whole venue,’ says Samer Issa-El-Khoury. (Supplied)
3 / 3
‘Last year it took us 90 days to build the entire track. This year, we only had four weeks to modify the track and build the whole venue,’ says Samer Issa-El-Khoury. (Supplied)
Updated 22 November 2019
Arab News
Follow

Diriyah E-Prix track designed to test drivers’ skills to the limit

  • Samer Issa-El-Khoury: ‘It’s a winding track and the drivers absolutely love such snake turns because it challenges both the car and the driver’
  • Issa-El-Khoury: ‘Having a Formula E race in Diriyah, which not only represents the future of motorsports but also emphasizes sustainability and clean energy’
Updated 22 November 2019
Arab News

Riyadh: In December 2018, the motorsport public witnessed the birth of Formula E in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the opening race of the 2018/2019 ABB FIA Championship season. This year, they are back for a doubleheader season opener in what promises to be the most competitive season in this sport’s young history.

Arab News sat down with Samer Issa-El-Khoury, who raced against time to oversee the construction of the Diriyah Circuit. An engineer by trade, he is the Managing Partner of CBX, a sports promotion company with exclusive rights for Formula E in the Middle East.

Q. What changes were made to the circuit this year in order to enhance the driver and fan experience?

A. I have been following and attending every Formula E race around the planet in order to bring the best features and improvement to the Diriyah E-prix. From checking the pit structure in New York to the track asphalt in Berlin, hospitality structure in Zurich and fan user experience in Hong Kong, we wanted to incorporate the finest elements in order to make this race a truly memorable doubleheader opening for the 2019/2020 ABB season.

We made a change to the pit entry and created a bigger run-off area at turn 21 to improve competition as well as safety in line with FIA recommendations. We wanted to give more chances to the drivers for late breaking, as this is one of the most challenging circuits with a total of 21 turns. Some of these turns are downhill while others are uphill. It’s a winding track and the drivers absolutely love such snake turns because it challenges both the car and the driver. Only the best can survive on a track such as this one and only the best can win.

Q. What makes the Diriyah E-Prix stand out from other circuits, in terms of track engineering and design? And how will this translate in the two rounds?

A. The beautiful scenery, with Diriyah being not just a UNESCO world heritage site but also the birthplace of Saudi Arabia. There is massive significance in this. What is unique as well is the architecture and design of the Swiss-made and engineered Royal Cube structure which is installed to cater for the VVIP guests, underneath which the cars race. From an engineering point of view, it is something we are very proud of. What is interesting as well is that the Royal Cube was put up in just ten days and features two floors with a beautiful terrace on the third floor overlooking both the track and the UNESCO world heritage site.

Having a Formula E race in Diriyah, which not only represents the future of motorsports but also emphasizes sustainability and clean energy, is 100 per cent in line with Saudi Arabia’s plan and Vision 2030 to be at the forefront of sustainable energy and carbon neutrality. This is a significant message to the world because the Vision’s success will most definitely have global reverberations.

We coordinated very closely with all stakeholders such as Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the General Sports Authority, Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, Formula E and the Diriyah Season office. We served as an important link between all parties involved and we did so proudly because we believe in Diriyah, in Saudi Arabia, and we believe in sports as a core element of the livelihood of any society.

Q. This is a massive undertaking. How long did it take to construct and how many people are involved this time around, compared to last year? How did local and international construction crew and experts work hand in hand to put this together?

A. Last year it took us 90 days to build the entire track. This year, we only had four weeks to modify the track and build the whole venue. That’s less than half the time we previously had. We also built all structures in record time. Building such a track normally requires much longer, yet we’ve completed the entire venue in four weeks this year.

For the 2018 race we had over 3,000 people. This time around we have around 1500 people involved in the operation, all of whom of world-class calibre from world class sports events backgrounds such as the Olympics and Formula One. We have an international team working hand in hand with local Saudi talent and there is a big knowledge transfer. Given there is a ten-year deal to host an E-Prix in Saudi Arabia, we started increasing the volume of local involvement this year and decreasing reliance on international expertise as event-management, talent and suppliers in Saudi Arabia are incredible, specifically so in motorsports.

For example, last year it took us one month to build the pit structure, this year it took us twenty days. This showcases the learning curve of the local team after only one season in, so imagine over the next ten years how exponential the learning curve will be. 90% of the suppliers used during last year’s E-Prix were from abroad, this year we have 80% local suppliers, which represents a huge shift. Formula E and the Diriyah E-Prix encouraged the suppliers to come and set up shop in the country, which is great for the local economy. Hosting the race in Diriyah is creating so many local job opportunities.

Q. Tens of thousands are attending the race and millions will tune in to watch and expectations are elevated, what should they expect?

A. There were doubts last year’s whether E-Prix would be a success or not and whether the drivers and their teams would be happy. Following last year’s success, Formula E along with the General Sports Authotiy decided to do a doubleheader in Saudi Arabia! We therefore have two days of full racing. This shows the level of excitement from the drivers, the teams and the fans. As for the general motorsport public around the world, I cannot properly stress how high the level of enthusiasm is. They will be fortunate enough to see a champion on Friday and on Saturday.

  • Diriyah E-Prix 2019: The thrilling electric race returns with a double-header race weekend – 2 Races on Friday and Saturday, November 22nd & 23rd   
Topics: Saudi Arabia Diriyah E-Prix Samer Issa-El-Khoury DIRIYAH SEASON

Related

Sport
Diriyah E-Prix: The challenges of building a racetrack in Saudi Arabia
Sport
Formula E promises ‘most attacking season yet’ as Saudi Arabia gears up for Diriyah E-Prix

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

Updated 5 sec ago
AP
Follow

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
Updated 5 sec ago
AP

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.”

Topics: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix

Related

Sport
Max Verstappen wins Qatar GP, F1 teams title race goes on after Lando Norris penalty
Sport
F1 champion Max Verstappen takes pole for Qatar Grand Prix

Mbappe and Bellingham respond to unhappy fans with goals in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe

Updated 33 min 49 sec ago
AP
Follow

Mbappe and Bellingham respond to unhappy fans with goals in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe

  • Mbappe was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham
  • Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet, while Athletic’s Basque rival Real Sociedad defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home
Updated 33 min 49 sec ago
AP

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe made some peace with Real Madrid’s fans.

Mbappe scored in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday to help ease the pressure on the France star.

Mbappe, who has been criticized by some supporters because of his disappointing performances since joining the Spanish powerhouse this season, found the net in the 38th minute to seal Madrid’s victory at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Mbappe was coming off a lackluster outing — which included a missed penalty kick — against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham, also the target of some fans’ criticism for recent poor play, had put Madrid ahead at the Bernabeu by converting a 30th-minute penalty. He also assisted in Mbappe’s goal — a well-placed low shot from outside the area.

Mbappe had scored only once in the team’s last six matches across all competitions, and twice in the last nine games.

“He played very well, was active and was as dangerous as always,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “He scored and created opportunities. He was very active, it’s what we want from him.”

Mbappe was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham. Another penalty — which was overturned by VAR — was also set to be taken by Rodrygo.

“The order for the penalties is Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, but without Vinicius, it was up to Bellingham and Mbappe to choose,” Ancelotti said.

The win moved Madrid within a point of league leader Barcelona, who lost 2-1 to Las Palmas on Saturday. Madrid, the defending champions, have a game in hand.

Madrid were one point ahead of city rivals Atletico Madrid, who won 5-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.

Madrid have lost three of their five Champions League matches but have won three straight in the league to cut into Barcelona’s lead. The Catalan club is winless in three consecutive league games.

“Things have been going well in La Liga since the last defeat, but we can’t get sidetracked because this is what Real Madrid demands,” Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger said. “We must continue and do better in the Champions League.”

Also Sunday, Villarreal drew 2-2 with visiting Girona after leading 2-0 and eventually conceding an equalizer seven minutes into stoppage time.

Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet, while Athletic’s Basque rival Real Sociedad defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home.

Topics: real madrid La Liga

Related

Sport
Mbappe’s problem is Real Madrid’s problem, says Ancelotti
Sport
Liverpool shine in Champions League, dumping Real Madrid down the table. Dortmund rise to 4th

Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win

Updated 02 December 2024
AFP
Follow

Liverpool pile on misery for Man City, Man Utd boss Amorim earns first Premier League win

  • City have lost four successive top-flight games for first time since 2008
  • First Premier League champions to endure such dismal run season after claiming title
Updated 02 December 2024
AFP

LONDON: Liverpool piled on the misery for Manchester City as the Premier League leaders beat the troubled champions 2-0 at Anfield, while Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim earned his first league win with a 4-0 rout of Everton on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side moved nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal after Cody Gakpo’s first-half opener and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty dealt another blow to reeling City, who are languishing 11 points behind Liverpool in fifth place.
City have lost four successive top-flight games for the first time since 2008, making them the first Premier League champions to endure such a dismal run the season after claiming the title.
City have clawed back significant deficits to win the Premier League in the Guardiola era, but they have never managed to lift the title after being behind by more than 10 points.
City’s seven-game winless run ranks as boss Pep Guardiola’s longest barren streak in his glittering managerial career.
Just weeks after he signed a new two-year contract, Liverpool fans taunted Guardiola with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” prompting a defiant response from the Spaniard, who held up six fingers to illustrate the number of titles he has won with City.
“The first 20 minutes Liverpool were unstoppable. We tried to play with a lot of control and passes, but it was difficult to take it,” Guardiola said.
“We’ll reset and start from zero. It is difficult to believe it. I rely a lot on these players. We’ll see what happens by the end of the season.”
Liverpool have won 18 of their 20 games in all competitions since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season.
With 11 victories from their 13 Premier League matches, Liverpool are firm favorites to win the title for the first time since 2020.
“We came close to perfection. That’s the only way to beat a quality team like City,” Slot said.
“We have to stay sharp. I don’t think anyone, including me, would have predicted this — to win so much with all the difficult teams we have played already.”
City’s defense was in disarray right from the start and when Salah curled a 12th minute shot toward the far post, Gakpo pounced to poke home from virtually on the line.
Salah’s 78th-minute penalty, awarded for keeper Stefan Ortega’s foul on Luis Diaz, was a dagger in the heart of City’s title hopes.
Amorim stole the spotlight in Sunday’s early games by extending his unbeaten start with United to three matches.
United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first Premier League game last Sunday, before the Portuguese boss earned his maiden win with United in a 3-2 success against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 39-year-old, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, has warned United would “suffer for a long period” before they can expect to challenge for the title.
This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at ninth-placed United.
Marcus Rashford’s 34th-minute drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite before flashing into the net.
United struck again seven minutes later as Branthwaite lost possession to Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes teed up Joshua Zirkzee to convert with ease.
Rashford underlined United’s superiority just 20 seconds after the interval as he applied a cool finish to Diallo’s incisive pass, before Zirkee struck again in the 64th minute with a composed strike.
“The result was good but we were pragmatic. It was not pretty,” Amorim said. “It is a rollercoaster. We have some moments when we are good but then we have moments when we have to suffer.”
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa, whose dismal winless streak reached eight matches.
Enzo Maresca’s men look capable of securing Champions League qualification after a third successive win in the space of eight days moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored in the first half before Cole Palmer struck in the closing stages.
Seventh-placed Tottenham’s top-four hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw against 10-man Fulham.
Brennan Johnson slotted Tottenham into the lead from Timo Werner’s 54th-minute pass, but Tom Cairney curled Fulham’s equalizer into the far corner after 67 minutes.
Cairney was sent off with seven minutes left after his foul on Dejan Kulusevski was upgraded from referee Darren Bond’s initial yellow card to a red after VAR intervened.

Topics: football soccer England Premier league Liverpool Manchester city Manchester United Ruben Amorim

Related

Sport
Hojlund scores 2 for Manchester United to give Amorim winning home debut in Europa League
Sport
Pep Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Manchester City

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

Updated 01 December 2024
Arab News
Follow

Trailer released for Usyk-Fury heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia

  • Countdown to fight officially underway
Updated 01 December 2024
Arab News

RIYADH: The countdown to December’s hotly anticipated heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is officially underway following the release of a new cinematic trailer titled “The Obsession.”

Unveiled on Sunday by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, the promo film sets the tone for the “Reignited” bout scheduled for Dec. 21 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The clip is set to Kylie Minogue’s smash hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and showcases surreal moments as the rival heavyweights imagine each other everywhere during their daily lives.

From Fury seeing his family transformed into Usyk lookalikes to Usyk envisioning Fury on a sausage — a nod to Fury’s trademark taunts — the promo highlights the fighters’ lighthearted but intense rivalry.

Their rematch follows their electrifying first bout in May, in which Usyk made history as the 21st century’s first undisputed heavyweight champion.

The clip was developed by BigTime Creative Shop in collaboration with the award-winning French collective Megaforce and Riff Raff Films.

Topics: boxing Saudi Arabia Riyadh season Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk General Entertainment Authority (GEA)

Related

Sport
Tickets for Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch in Riyadh now on sale
Update video
Sport
Usyk and Fury get ready to rumble again in Riyadh

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

Updated 01 December 2024
AFP
Follow

Amorim earns 1st Premier League win, Chelsea climb to 3rd place

  • This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton
Updated 01 December 2024
AFP

LONDON: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim earned his first Premier League win with a 4-0 rout of Everton.

Chelsea climbed to third place with a 3-0 win against spluttering Aston Villa.

United were held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first Premier League game last Sunday, before the Portuguese boss earned his maiden win with United in a 3-2 success against Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 39-year-old, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, has warned United would “suffer for a long period” before they can expect to challenge for the title.

This was the most encouraging result of Amorim’s brief time at United as they recovered from a slow start to dispatch lowly Everton.

United fans had gathered on the Old Trafford forecourt before kick-off to protest the clubs’ decision to increase ticket prices, displaying a banner with the slogan “Stop Exploiting Loyalty.”

If ninth-placed United are to justify those increases, they need a winning team and Amorim is taking steps in the right direction.

Marcus Rashford had scored the first goal of Amorim’s reign after just two minutes at Ipswich and he was on target again in the 34th minute against Everton.

Rashford’s drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite before flashing into the net.

United struck again seven minutes later as Amorim’s decision to select Zirkzee to lead the attack instead of Rasmus Hojlund.

Branthwaite lost possession to Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes teed up Joshua Zirkzee to convert with ease.

The much-maligned Netherlands striker’s second goal since his close-season move from Bologna ended a 17-game drought dating back to August.

Rashford underlined United’s superiority just 20 seconds after the interval as he applied a cool finish to Diallo’s incisive pass for his seventh goal this season.

Zirkee struck again in the 64th minute with a composed strike from the influential Diallo’s assist after shambolic Everton defending.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games as Villa’s dismal winless streak reached eight matches.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insisted this week that his young team are not title contenders in the first season of his rebuilding job.

But they look capable of at least securing Champions League qualification after a third successive win in the space of eight days moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

The famous Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in October feels like a distant memory for 12th placed Villa, who have won only once in the Premier League since then.

Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea in front after just seven minutes with his eighth goal this season.

The Senegal striker met Marc Cucurella’s cross with a volley from eight yards that beat Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez via the near post.

Villa appealed in vain for a foul by Cucurella on Jaden Philogene in the build-up to the goal.

Enzo Fernandez added to Villa’s frustration in the 36th minute as the midfielder took a clever touch before firing home from 12 yards.

Cole Palmer grabbed his eighth goal this season with a superb finish from the edge of the area in the 83rd minute.

Seventh-placed Tottenham’s top four hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw against 10-man Fulham.

Brennan Johnson slotted Tottenham into the lead from Timo Werner’s 54th minute pass, but Tom Cairney curled Fulham’s equalizer into the far corner after 67 minutes.

Cairney was sent off with seven minutes left after his foul on Dejan Kulusevski was upgraded from referee Darren Bond’s initial yellow card to a red after VAR intervened.

Topics: english Premier League Ruben Amorim Man United

Related

Sport
Musiala saves Bayern from Klassiker defeat in draw at Dortmund in Bundesliga
Sport
Saka stars in Arsenal rout at West Ham as Van Nistelrooy watches new team Leicester lose

Latest updates

FIA president denies personally ordering recent firings of 3 F1 race stewards
A landmark climate change case will open at the top UN court as island nations fear rising seas
Russia says helping Syrian army ‘repel’ insurgents in three northern provinces
Tens of thousands rally in Georgia as PM rebuffs calls for new election
Trudeau promised Trump tougher border controls, says top Canada official

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.