SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: Max Verstappen, facing a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new engine, topped the times for Red Bull ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in a qualifying session run in mixed wet-and-dry conditions at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday.
Leclerc will start Sunday’s race from pole position as he did in 2023 with Sergio Perez alongside him in the second Red Bull, the Mexican having ended a nightmare run of qualifying failures amid reports that his future with the team is at risk.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth for Mercedes and will share the second row of the grid with McLaren’s Lando Norris, who qualified fifth ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri and George Russell in the second Mercedes.
Carlos Sainz was eighth in the second Ferrari in front of compatriot and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Esteban Ocon of Alpine and Alex Albon of Williams — who will be 10th on the grid ahead of Verstappen.
“It was a nice qualifying and luckily the weather was ok,” said Verstappen, referring to earlier heavy rain that turned final practice into a washout. “It was raining a little bit, but we could do a decent session.
“I know I have to start 10 places back so this was the best I could do today and we’ll go from there. I don’t know quick we are going to be, but I hope we can be in the mix.”
Verstappen will be bidding to win the Belgian race for the fourth consecutive year, having won previously after taking grid penalties, but his car this year lacks the same clear superiority. Last year, he won from sixth. This year he starts 11th.
“It’s exactly the same as last year and, for me, it’s good as I didn’t expect that. We had tricky conditions and the rain helped us a bit and it’s good to be back at the front of the grid,” said Leclerc.
In steady but light rain, Norris led a train of cars from the pitlane for Q1, followed by both Haas cars and his McLaren team-mate Piastri, who was forced to drop to fourth by an exit by Kevin Magnussen that he described as “dangerous.”
A heavy shower was forecast by McLaren and this accelerated all 20 drivers to join the fray in pursuit of an early banker lap before the conditions deteriorated. All were on intermediates as Norris clocked 1:58.894 before being beaten by Piastri, in 1:57.411.
Verstappen then took over on top in 1:56.003 with Piastri threatening and taking second before rising to take command with five minutes to go in 1:55.549, before the Dutchman regained the ascendancy.
He clocked 1:54.938 to go six-tenths clear of Piastri while Norris struggled to match him and Russell fought to survive, rising from 17th to third in the final seconds of Q1.
Taking advantage of a problem for Verstappen, who was involved in a blocking incident with Zhou Guanyu’s Sauber, Piastri took top spot again in 1:54.835 ahead of Pierre Gasly.
The early departures were taken by the two Haas men, Nico Hulkenberg and Magnussen, RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, who will start from the back of the grid after taking a penalty for new power unit parts, Logan Sargeant of Williams and Zhou.
Q2 began in similar fashion, with rain forecast and all 15 runners on track, Alex Albon setting the early pace for Williams before Norris took over in 1:54.459 and then Verstappen, in 1:53.857. All were on ‘inters’ again.
With five minutes to go, Russell and Leclerc, with fresh tires, were both in the drop-zone as the rain intensified. Russell reacted by leaping to fourth followed by Leclerc, taking third, and Hamilton up fifth.
Late faster laps from Perez, Ocon and Gasly pushed the Mercedes pair to go second and third while the under-pressure Perez survived by 0.003 seconds. Albon, Pierre Gasly of Alpine, Daniel Ricciardo of RB, Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll, whose Aston Martin team had rebuilt his car after his crash in FP3, missed the cut.
Hamilton was first out for Q3 and posted a lap in 1:54.011 as a marker.
On their first runs, only the two Red Bulls beat him, Verstappen going top in 1:53.159, leaving it all down to the final laps to decide the final grid order.
Penalized Max Verstappen tops qualifying, Charles Leclerc takes Belgium pole
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Penalized Max Verstappen tops qualifying, Charles Leclerc takes Belgium pole
- Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth for Mercedes
- Carlos Sainz was eighth in the second Ferrari in front of compatriot and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin
NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announces Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd for new season women’s test
- Team will take part in pre-season testing in Valencia in November before the season-opening Sao Paulo E-Prix in December
RIYADH: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team has announced its full driver lineup for the women’s test, as part of pre-season testing for the 2024-2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bianca Bustamante has been involved in racing since the age of five, winning several karting championships in Asia. So far in her single-seater career, Bustamante has competed in W Series, Formula 4 UAE Championship, Italian Formula 4, USF Juniors and most recently F1 Academy. In October 2023, it was announced Bustamante would join the McLaren driver development program, representing the team in the 2024 F1 Academy season with ART Grand Prix.
Ella Lloyd began racing competitively in 2022 in the Ginetta Junior Championship before competing in in the Ginetta GT Championship the following year, finishing as vice-champion.
At the beginning of 2024, Lloyd competed in the Formula Winter Series, securing the female driver trophy several times. She competed in British F4, completing the 2024 season with three P2 results, one P3 and numerous points finishes. She has now joined the McLaren driver development programme and will represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport.
The 2024 women’s pre-season test aims to provide women an opportunity to gain experience in the new GEN3 Evo car, while building their motorsport development.
The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be in action at the pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain from Nov. 4-7, before the season starts at the Sao Paulo E-Prix on Dec. 7.
Bustamante said: “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a GEN3 Evo car with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next month in Valencia. I’ve already been honing my skills in the simulator and working with the team so I can extract the most from this opportunity as I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Lloyd said: “I’m really excited to be part of the women’s test with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. This opportunity will allow me to gain valuable experience in Formula E GEN3 Evo machinery and continue to develop my skills as a racing driver. I can’t wait to get going.”
Ian James, team principal and managing director of NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, said he was excited to work with the two new additions to the team.
“Both drivers have had a smooth integration into the team and have already been developing their skills in the simulator as part of their preparation,” he said.
“I’m glad we can provide Bianca and Ella with a platform to demonstrate their ability and build new career opportunities as part of the championship’s commitment to develop their experience in motorsport. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in Valencia next month.”
Mattias Ekstrom joins Ford Performance ahead of 2025 Dakar Rally
- Swedish driver will attempt to conquer the challenging desert terrain as Ford looks to consolidate its position in the Kingdom
DUBAI: Ford Performance has announced rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekstrom will join its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally, to be held in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 3-17.
Ekstrom, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, and experienced rally raid competitor, will join Mitch Guthrie Jr., Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr. in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.
“Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me,” said Ekstrom. “Ford and [engineering partners] M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds and drives awesome, and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally. I have had four tries at Dakar so far and now I can say that I have some experience in being able to aim for the top.
“There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition — starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians and the rest of the team.”
He added: “I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it, and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen."
Ford Performance has previously shown its off-road capabilities in rally raid racing and global competition via entries and victories in the Baja 1000 and Tatts-Finke Desert Race, among others. The addition of Ekstrom completes a strong driver lineup for the challenge of Dakar.
It is hoped Ekstrom’s diverse background, which spans rally, circuit racing and off-road competition, will be a real boost to the team.
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, said: “Bringing Mattias Ekstrom into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program. Mattias brings a wealth of experience in rally and off-road racing, and his skills add to a formidable team in the Ford Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally is a test like no other, but we’re confident in our lineup.”
Meanwhile Matthew Wilson, M-Sport test and development driver, said: “We have followed Mattias’ career for a long time, from his DTM days to the FIA World Rallycross, and now the Dakar Rally.
“He has shown fantastic speed and ability in all forms of motorsport and his performances in off-road racing have been no different. We are really looking forward to working with him and his co-driver Emil, who both will bring with them a vast array of experience.”
First all-female rally in MENA region gets underway in Saudi Arabia
- The event, which runs until Oct. 21, will see pilots and co-pilots competing across Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes
MEDINA: The inaugural Rally A’Shira, the first all-female rally in the Middle East and North Africa sponsored by Richard Mille, got underway on Wednesday.
The event, which runs until Oct. 21, will see pilots and co-pilots competing across Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes, beginning in Madinah and ending at the Red Sea.
The rally features 50 participants driving 20 4x4 vehicles. Relying on traditional road maps and kilometer calculations, drivers will navigate the course without digital tools.
The rally is part of a broader effort to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to diversify the country’s sporting, social, and cultural landscape.
Rally A’Shira will not only promote women’s participation in motorsport but also highlight Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and landscapes, organizers said.
The rally’s route includes a stop in AlUla, known for its dramatic rock formations, before concluding at the Red Sea, where participants will stay at the luxury Shebara Resort.
Richard Mille has partnered with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Co. to host the event, with BeOnd Jet serving as the aviation partner for the rally.
By combining motorsport with cultural exploration, Rally A’Shira will mark a significant moment for both women in the region and the broader motorsport community, organizers said.
Amanda Mille, brand and partnerships director of Richard Mille, said: “Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions and Richard Mille’s vision, we are proud to partner with Saudi (Research and) Media Group as our media partner, showcasing and celebrating the spirit of Rally A’Shira and the hidden gems of the Kingdom through their lens.”
Rashed Al-Qemzi ready to give ‘everything’ for Team Abu Dhabi in China
- Record-breaking F2 champion says he does not feel pressure heading for tough test in Zhengzhou this weekend
ABU DHABI: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi says he is under no pressure to push for a big result when he returns to action in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship at the Grand Prix of Zhengzhou in China at the weekend.
The five-time UIM F2 world champion has moved to F1 to join forces again with his cousin, veteran Emirati driver Thani Al-Qemzi, following the mutual decision by Team Abu Dhabi and Alberto Comparato to part company.
“Like everyone else in the team, I wish Alberto great success in the future, and we all know that we’re going to see a lot more from him in the years ahead,” said Rashed, who moved into the record books by clinching his latest F2 triumph last month.
“Now I have another good opportunity to show what I can do in the F1H2O World Championship and help the team, and I’m happy to be racing with Thani again.
“As always, I’ll be giving everything I’ve got, and I want to get the best result possible. But there’s no extra pressure from the team, and obviously it’s going to be tough.
“The standard is so high in this championship. There are so many great drivers pushing for the win, and for the podium.”
While dominating the F2 championship in recent times with five titles in eight years, Al-Qemzi has regularly stepped up to Team Abu Dhabi’s F1H2O lineup when needed.
His 10 appearances in the F1H2O championships to date include a seventh-place finish in Zhengzhou last season when he stood in for Thani and held fourth spot for half of the Grand Prix.
He was also part of the Team Abu Dhabi trio who won the 2021 UIM World Endurance Championships, sharing the driving with Mansoor Al-Mansoori and Thani, who makes his 157th career Grand Prix start in Zhengzhou.
The two-time championship runner-up is eager to climb from his current ninth place in the standings, and wants to add to his career record of 10 Grand Prix victories and 45 podium finishes.
He knows he must be at his best in Zhengzhou to challenge Sharjah Team’s championship leader, Rusty Wyatt, and his two closest title rivals, Victory Team’s Erik Stark and defending champion Jonas Andersson.
Having recorded his second Grand Prix victory of the season in last weekend’s storm-lashed Grand Prix of Shanghai, Canadian rookie Wyatt could make it a remarkable title-winning debut season with another success on Saturday.
Much will depend, however, on the outcome of Friday morning qualifying and the two points-scoring sprint races to follow in the afternoon.
Saudi Logistics Services partners with Jeddah GT Race 2024
- SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 will take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Nov. 29 and 30
- SMC’s acting CEO, Mansour Almokbel said: ‘This partnership represents a significant step toward fulfilling our common goals’
JEDDAH: Saudi Motorsport Co. and Saudi Logistics Services have signed a partnership agreement, making SAL the title partner of the inaugural 2024 Jeddah GT Race, it was announced on Thursday.
According to the partnership, SAL will become the main partner for the race that will be renamed SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 scheduled to take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Nov. 29 and 30.
The six-hour race will be the longest circuit motor race to be staged in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement reaffirms SAL’s commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to supporting the community and the national economy through various initiatives, programs, and collaborations with different entities, such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
SMC’s acting CEO, Mansour Almokbel said: “This partnership represents a significant step toward fulfilling our common goals, contributing to achieving the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and improving the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Thunyan Al-Thunyan, president of logistics solutions at SAL, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Jeddah GT Race 2024 as the title sponsor, in which we collaborate to reflect SAL’s ongoing commitment toward supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, while also showcasing our dedication to excellence and innovation in logistics, by contributing to the success of the motorsports races and other international mega events happening in Saudi Arabia.”
The collaboration will contribute to the advancement of motorsports in Saudi Arabia and further strengthen SAL’s strategic partnership with SMC, which plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive development of motorsports in the region.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 will feature two major global races the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, and the exciting GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club, which will also include the longest racing event in Saudi Arabia’s history.
