Ocon and Gasly look to kickstart Alpine’s F1 season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Above, Alpine F1 Team’s Esteban Ocon at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 6, 2024 ahead of the fourth edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (Reuters)
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Updated 07 March 2024
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Ocon and Gasly look to kickstart Alpine’s F1 season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

  • After a difficult week for the French team, the drivers hope to get back on track at a circuit where they have consistently delivered points

JEDDAH: It has been far from an ideal start to the 2024 season for the Alpine F1 Team, but drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are all smiles as they settle into familiar surroundings at Jeddah Corniche Circuit ahead of the fourth edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

It is a track where both drivers have enjoyed good fortune in recent years.

At the first Formula One race by the Red Sea, Ocon finished fourth, and has since had two top-10 finishes, while Gasly has also claimed points in all three Saudi Arabia races.

Last week saw a disappointing start to the season for the French team at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has led to sweeping changes at management level, but the drivers are focused on turning their fortunes around on the track this weekend.

“I’ve really liked the track since I came here in the first year and I had a very good race back then, almost finishing on the podium, for third in the last 50 meters,” Ocon told Arab News, recalling his outstanding drive in 2021.

“It was very close, I started on the pole as well at some stage during the race. And it was definitely a great experience, feeling the flow of the track, the grip that it has and just the layout in general. I think it’s a beautiful circuit. So yeah, can’t wait to race this track again.”

Ocon acknowledges that while the team has yet to get into their stride this season, this track could provide an opportunity for early improvement.

“Obviously, we are not as competitive as we were towards the end of last year. But on this track, we’ve always done better than the other races. And I hope that we can make a little step forward, to be fighting with our competitors more closely. We’re going to look to be doing that.”

The 27-year-old hopes it is a matter of time before changes off the track will lead to positive changes on it.

“We are not in the place that we want to be in, but we’re all sticking together,” Ocon said. “I trust them to turn things around and for us to be moving forward.”

Gasly echoes Ocon’s sentiments about a circuit that has served Alpine well and hopes it would provide a platform for improvement on Saturday.

“I must say I like the track,” he said. “It’s a very high-speed layout, a lot of high-speed corners, long straights. It’s definitely fun to drive around here.”

“Obviously we had a very tough first race last week in Bahrain and we know the car is not where we would like it to be in terms of performance. We have no upgrade this weekend, so we expect another tough weekend, but hopefully maybe on a slightly different track, hopefully it can be slightly better.”

“In F1 you can’t find solutions overnight,” Gasly added. “We’ve got to wait for the upgrades to come. But in the meantime, we’ve got to do the best with the package we’ve got, which we know is not very competitive, but we’ve got to try and give us the maximum chances and that’s what I’ll try to do in the car.”

Gasly, who joined Alpine in 2023 to complete a unique all-French lineup in a French team, remains confident that the team’s ceiling is higher than what Formula One fans have seen recently.

“I definitely believe and trust the team to make the improvements, we’ve got to be back at the front,” said the 28-year-old. “Obviously, it’s going to be a big challenge. We know the starting point is far away from where we would have liked it to be. But everyone’s working absolutely flat out to try to find solutions and try to find more performance.”

Alpine finished fourth in the 2022 Constructors’ Championship, and sixth last year. Returning to a midfield position in the standings will not be easy, but Gasly says that Formula One’s longest-ever season should give them room to improve.

“It’s extremely tight field and it’s going to be a long season, 24 races,” he said. “We’ve got to push. It’s only early in the season and hopefully we can make the step we need.”

It promises to be a closely contested season, with several teams having made significant changes in their cars since the last campaign.

“It’s Formula One,” Gasly said. “I think generally we know it’s a tough competition every single season. And also the other teams, they’ve been working really well, and managed to make some good improvements over the winter.”

“And unfortunately, we didn’t achieve the same,” he added. “We’ve got to work, we’ve got to work out. There’s no secret that’s what everyone’s doing. For the meantime, we will do as best we can.”

And does he remain positive when he gets in that boxed seat?

“Always, always.”


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

  • 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

Updated 24 January 2025
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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

Updated 23 January 2025
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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

Updated 23 January 2025
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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

Updated 22 January 2025
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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.