SPIELBERG BEI KNITTELFELD, Austria: Max Verstappen took pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix on Friday after another public spat between his father and “childish” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
The 26-year-old Dutchman outpaced nearest rival Lando Norris of McLaren in the final seconds of a frantic session to take the prime starting place and delight hordes of his ‘orange army’ of fans at the Red Bull Ring.
His best lap in one minute and 4.686 seconds lifted him 0.093 seconds clear of Norris in hot conditions in the Styrian Alps.
“It’s good to be first here in front of all my home fans and in our home Grand Prix,” said Verstappen, who leads Norris by 69 points as he targets a fourth straight world title.
“It’s been a good day so far and it’s nice to drive the car. It feels well-balanced and we only needed a few adjustments so all is going well.
“I’m not concerned about things and feel relaxed. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
He added: “It’s a positive day and the car is strong and all is going well so it’s been a good start to the weekend. Hopefully I can keep it going tomorrow.”
Earlier Horner had brushed off comments by Verstappen’s father Jos.
Verstappen senior was back in the paddock for the first time since Bahrain, where he said the team was in danger of being “torn apart” if Horner kept his job following allegations of controlling behavior by a female member of staff.
Horner had earlier irked Verstappen senior who claimed he had been prevented from taking part in a Red Bull Legends Parade at the Red Bull ring circuit, driving the team’s 2012 car in which Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive title.
He said Horner had barred any filming, a decision that caused him to withdraw.
“How childish can you be,” he told Formule1.nl.
“There was going to be filming, for example, also with a drone, but Horner didn’t want me to be filmed.
“I’m completely finished with Horner. It’s like a kindergarten here. I would have been allowed to ride in the end, but I backed out. I find this so childish of Horner, but I think it says something about him.”
Horner retorted, saying: “Look, I’ve been made aware. The legends parade is something that is organized by the circuit and there was no veto from my side or anything like that.
“I’m sure the legends will be in action later.”
He added: “The relationship with Max has always been very good, very strong. He’s a key part of our team and he’s our driver — he’s the one that it’s important to have a strong relationship with.
“I’ve never had an issue with any of our drivers’ fathers in the past and whatever Jos’s issues are, I’ve really got nothing to comment on.”
Earlier the Red Bull team principal had poked fun at rival team chief Toto Wolff of Mercedes following Verstappen’s confirmation on Thursday that he will remain at Red Bull next year.
Asked why Wolff remained linked to the champion, Horner said: “That’s a question you would have to ask Toto. Max was pretty resolute in what he said and he’s been absolutely consistent with that in the team. I think it’s purely a tactic of distraction.
“If he does want a Verstappen for next year then, I guess, Jos is potentially available.”
Wolff had said Verstappen was his target to replace the Ferrari-bound Hamilton next year.
Horner said: “Max is an important part of our team. He’s had all of his victories and podiums in Red Bull cars and three world championships so far. He’s a crucial member of the team.
“Obviously a lot of noise has been made about him going elsewhere and sometimes one just thinks that’s a distraction tactic that’s thrown in — because you have to question what are the motives behind that?
“The driver that has created all the movement in the market (Hamilton) had all the information about the engines and 2026 regulations and so on and he chose to leave and left a vacancy at Mercedes.”
Max on Austrian sprint pole as Verstappen senior blasts ‘childish’ Horner
https://arab.news/pz6w6
Max on Austrian sprint pole as Verstappen senior blasts ‘childish’ Horner
- The 26-year-old Dutchman outpaced nearest rival Lando Norris of McLaren in the final seconds of a frantic session
- “It’s good to be first here in front of all my home fans and in our home Grand Prix,” said Verstappen
Reem Al-Aboud and Hanna Riehle crowned champions of Rally Jameel 2025
- The six-day, 1,600km race took contestants from Petra in Jordan to Tabuk, AlUla, Hail and then Qassim in Saudi Arabia
QASSIM: Reem Al-Aboud from Saudi Arabia and her German co-driver Hanna Riehle of Jameel Motorsport were crowned winners of Rally Jameel 2025, which concluded on Saturday in Qassim.
The closing ceremony was attended by the governor of Qassim province, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz.
Saudi driver Mashael Al-Howaish and her co-driver Taye Perry from South Africa, competing for Lexus Racing Team, finished second, while Farah Zakaria and Farah Ateyyat, both from Jordan and representing Al Markazia Toyota, ended third.
Over six days and across more than 1,600 kilometers, participants followed a route that blended technical challenge with cultural discovery.
From Petra’s awe-inspiring stone passageways to the dramatic mountain ranges of Tabuk, the historic landscapes of AlUla, and the desert trails of Hail, the rally offered a journey through some of the region’s most breathtaking and diverse terrain, finishing in Qassim, a region celebrated for its palm groves and lush farmland.
The route not only tested skill and endurance but also reaffirmed the growing status of Saudi Arabia and Jordan as global destinations for adventure tourism and motorsport.
At the post-press conference, Al-Aboud expressed her pride in the achievement, saying: “Standing at the top of the leaderboard today is an incredible honor — and a reflection of every decision, every calculation, and every moment of resilience throughout this rally.
“Rally Jameel pushed us beyond our limits and brought together a global community of women who are boldly claiming their place in motorsport.”
Riehle, who won the last two titles as a co-driver, said she was happy to win the Rally Jameel for the third time in a row, and this time with Reem Al-Aboud. “I think securing first place after a consistent and high-performing run across all four stages proves that we are a good team,” she said.
Second-placed Al-Howaish said she was “so glad to end up in second with Taye Perry who really helped me to improve my way.”
Munir Khoja, managing director of Jameel Motorsport and Marketing Communications at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, said: “Rally Jameel continues to push boundaries, redefining what’s possible in motorsport and beyond.”
It is “deeply rewarding” to see the Saudi-born initiative has “evolved into a global platform, reflecting the values of ambition, progress, and empowerment that lie at the heart of Vision 2030,” Khoja added.
(With agencies)
Quartararo denies Marquez his home Spanish MotoGP pole
- The 26-year-old Yamaha rider clocked a time of one minute and 35.610 seconds to take his first pole since 2022
JEREZ, Spain: Frenchman Fabio Quartararo beat crowd favorite and six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez to take pole position at the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez on Saturday, where the lap record was broken twice.
Championship leader Marquez looked on course for a fifth successive pole after he sped to a time of one minute and 35.643 seconds early in the second qualifying, but Quartararo put on a blistering lap in the final moments to stun the Ducati rider.
The 26-year-old Yamaha rider clocked a time of one minute and 35.610 seconds to take his first pole since 2022.
Twice MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia came third to complete the front row.
“It’s a really special feeling, a special emotion for everybody,” Quartararo said.
“We know that the points are on the sprint and the race, but already to feel the atmosphere close to all these guys is something.”
“Hopefully, we can make a great fight on the sprint, on the race we know it’s a little more difficult. But super happy to be here. We are working hard and the work will pay off.”
Gresini’s Alex Marquez was the fourth fastest, ahead of Franco Morbidelli of VR46 Racing in fifth.
Marquez leads his younger brother Alex by 17 points in the championship and Italian Bagnaia in third by 26.
Rally Jameel ‘not just a race’ for drivers
- Noelia Benitez of Spain, competing for the fourth year in a row, stresses significance of all-female rally
- US driver Gabby Downing described Rally Jameel as an ‘amazing experience’
QASSIM: When the women competing in Rally Jameel come to Saudi Arabia, they not only get to discover the Kingdom’s terrain, but its people and culture.
Spanish driver Noelia Benitez, competing in the all-female race — which began April 21 in Jordan and ends April 26 — for the fourth consecutive year, told Arab News: “It’s a fun week — drivers and co-drivers enjoy every minute of it.”
For Benitez, the rally is about more than just the racing.
“We’re not just enjoying sitting behind the wheel and competing for the title,” she said. “The race takes us through the stunning landscapes of Tabuk, AlUla, Hail and Qassim and showed us the culture and traditions of Saudis in different places. That’s why it’s an extraordinary race.”
She added: “Saudi Arabia has an amazing landscape offering all kinds of desert riding from sand to rocks and stunning views all day long.”
US driver Gabby Downing called the rally “the experience of a lifetime.”
From women racing through the desert, to experiencing the culture of Saudi Arabia. I’ve seen one of the seven wonders of the new world in Petra, Jordan; had dinner in the Old Town in Al Ula; seen the famous Elephant Rock, the tombs at Hegra, and learned about the sister cities of Petra and Al Ula.
“I’ve crossed the border from Jordan to Saudi Arabia, and I learned that it is a privilege to see Saudi Arabia as a tourist. Saudi Arabia had its borders closed until September 2019, so being able to see these points of interest and experience the culture is something that many tourists have never been able to do,” she continued.
This year’s rally welcomed competitors from 37 countries, representing 45 teams, with backing from 25 international motorsport federations including those of the US, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Jordan, and Brazil.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem nominates Malcolm Wilson for deputy role
- Federation members will vote in June on whether to endorse the former British Rally champion and founder of M-Sport
- Malcolm Wilson: There has never been a more exciting time to be in motor sport, and I know first-hand the benefits the sport brings to families and communities across the world
DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, has nominated Malcolm Wilson, a leading figure in British motor sport, for the position of deputy president for sport.
The FIA, the global governing body for motor sport and advocacy group for motoring organizations, said on Wednesday that members will vote on the nomination during the federation’s Extraordinary General Assemblies and Conference in Macau in June.
Wilson is the managing director of M-Sport, which has operated Ford’s World Rally program since 1997. Previously he was a highly successful rally driver, who won the British Rally in 1994. He is an honorary member of the British Racing Drivers Club, and in 2009 he was awarded an OBE for services to motor sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list.
Under his leadership, M-Sport won the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 2006 and 2007 and 2017, and back-to-back driver and co-driver championships in 2017 and 2018. It also served as a technical partner with Bentley Motors, leading the design and development of the Continental GT3 race car, and in electric motor sport with Jaguar in the Ipace eTrophy event.
The deputy president for sport, one of the most senior elected roles within the FIA, serves on the World Motor Sport Council and has a wide range of responsibilities, including development of global motor sport policies in collaboration with FIA commissions and national sporting authorities, and the promotion of safety, sustainability and innovation in the sport.
Ben Sulayem said: “I am delighted to nominate Malcolm Wilson OBE for the role of FIA deputy president for sport. Malcolm has had a distinguished career in global motor sport.
“For over 40 years he has competed at the highest level, both as a driver and technical partner to teams. This experience will be invaluable to the FIA and our member clubs as we continue to grow grassroots and professional motor sport, driving innovation in the sport to benefit fans, drivers and teams.”
Wilson said: “Having started my career in motor sport in the 1970s as a driver and then technical partner to teams, it is a great honor to be nominated for the role of FIA deputy president for sport.
“The FIA has played a central role in my career and I very much look forward to supporting the president and all the FIA family in its important mission. There has never been a more exciting time to be in motor sport, and I know first-hand the benefits the sport brings to families and communities across the world.
“I look forward to working with the president for the duration of his current term of office, bringing our sport to new audiences and ensuring we deliver the very best championships for all our competitors.”
Rally Jameel gets underway, route expands beyond Saudi Arabia’s historic sites
- Event reveals region’s evolving landscape of opportunity for women
- Five-day rally takes a 1,600km route through two countries
PETRA: Starting in the ancient city of Petra, Rally Jameel, the first women-only navigational rally in the Middle East, got underway on Tuesday with the participation of 41 teams from 37 countries.
The official ceremony for the 4th edition of Rally Jameel was attended by prominent Jordanian figures, including Dr. Fares Braizat, chief commissioner of Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority.
Spanning five days and covering a 1,600-kilometer route through two countries, this year’s rally is a historic expansion beyond Saudi Arabia.
The route begins in Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and winds through Tabuk, a city framed by striking mountain ranges and ancient trade routes; AlUla, renowned for its dramatic rock formations; Hail, long considered the heart of the Arabian Peninsula’s caravan trade; and concludes in Qassim, a region celebrated for its rich agricultural traditions — offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Munir Khoja, managing director at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, said: “The launch of Rally Jameel 2025 in Petra marks a pivotal step in our ambition to elevate women’s motorsport and expand Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sporting stage.
“As we expand beyond borders, we remain committed to empowering women through world-class sporting opportunities that challenge and inspire, in line with Vision 2030. This year’s edition reflects the spirit of exploration, resilience, and cross-cultural connection that has always defined Rally Jameel, and we are extremely proud to support this journey and the incredible women driving it forward.”
Zaid Balqez, CEO of Jordan Motorsport said: “Hosting the launch of Rally Jameel here in Petra is a proud milestone for us, one that underscores the strength and potential of regional partnerships. Our collaboration with Jameel Motorsport reflects a shared vision to elevate the profile of motorsport across the region, not only as a competitive discipline, but as a platform for empowerment, cultural exchange, and adventure tourism. Together, we aim to create a more inclusive and globally connected motorsport ecosystem that positions the Middle East as a leading destination for world-class sporting experiences.”
The five-day event continues to set new benchmarks in global motorsport. With growing international participation and expanded geographic reach, the rally is carving out a lasting legacy. It reveals not only elite navigational talent, but also the region’s evolving landscape of opportunity, ambition and leadership for women.
