Saudi Motorsport Co. launched to promote F1, other races under one umbrella

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF)
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Updated 11 November 2021
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Saudi Motorsport Co. launched to promote F1, other races under one umbrella

  • The CEO pointed out that the initiative would help to establish new local and international events

JEDDAH: The boss of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has dismissed international media reports that preparations for next month’s inaugural Formula 1 race in the Kingdom are behind schedule.

Chief executive officer, Martin Whitaker, was confident the country would be ready to host the sporting spectacular and said: “Saudi Arabia is well prepared, and the race is in good hands.”

Speaking at the launch of the Saudi Motorsport Co., a new and dedicated commercial entity established to bring the Kingdom’s motorsport events under a single umbrella, he told Arab News: “What has been achieved is remarkable and we are in pretty good shape to be honest.

“In terms of the race, Formula 1 and the FIA (the sport’s governing body) run the technical and regulation side. Our side, we make sure to make VIPs, fans, guests, and sponsors happy with so many activities and entertainments and also provide them with best facilities in the world.

“All these things are exciting developments, and we are on the top of it. If you think about it, we started to build this circuit on May 1, and what has been achieved since then is an extraordinary job,” he added.

On the aim of the new Saudi Motorsport Co., Whitaker said: “Previously, motorsports in the Kingdom used to be run by SAMF (the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation) or private companies, now as we are reaching a new era in sports, we want to make sure to spin off the commercial and operational side of motorsports in Saudi Arabia to our own Saudi company.”

The CEO pointed out that the initiative would help to establish new local and international events while at the same time promoting Saudi teams, engineers, mechanics, and female and male drivers.

He noted that one of the primary aims would be to develop young Saudi talent.

“As a British person, when I leave the country, I want to see an ambitious young Saudi take my place to run this business, and this is what Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is all about. I am here to help to bring such young Saudis,” Whitaker said.

Also speaking at the company launch, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the SAMF chairman, welcomed the establishment of the Saudi Motorsport Co.

He said: “The growth of motorsport in Saudi Arabia is one of the great success stories of our nation’s recent history. We can now confidently call ourselves a major home to the biggest series in motorsport including F1, Formula E, the Dakar Rally, and Extreme E and have proven time and again how capable our people are at delivering world-class events on a global scale.

“To this end, it is essential that we focus our efforts on taking advantage of this incredible opportunity for the Kingdom via the establishment of the Saudi Motorsport Co., to help focus our efforts on the consolidation and expansion of motorsports in the country and to maximize the many opportunities hosting these major events offer the people of Saudi Arabia.

“This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what more is to come in the future,” the prince added.

The announcement came as the number of motorsports events in the Kingdom reached unprecedented levels of growth.

December will see the arrival of Formula 1 in the country for the first time in its history when the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021 makes its much-anticipated debut at the new Jeddah Corniche Circuit – set to become the longest and fastest street circuit in the world – on the weekend of Dec. 3 to 5.

The arrival of the pinnacle of motorsport follows the successful hosting of other major series over the past few years, including the Formula E Diriyah ePrix (since 2018), the world-renowned Dakar Rally (since 2020), and a ground-breaking round of the revolutionary Extreme E series – the Desert X Prix – staged for the first time earlier this year.

The rise of motorsport in Saudi Arabia has already delivered widespread benefits. For example, the first two editions of the Dakar Rally contributed to the creation of 11,841 jobs (3,606 of which were Saudis), while the broadcast of the event reached 2.2 billion households across 190 territories and secured up to 350 million digital impressions, showcasing the huge direct and indirect economic and cultural impact hosting such major events could have for the host nation.

Up until recently, the SAMF had played a leading role in driving these successes. Now, the establishment of a dedicated commercial entity, the Saudi Motorsport Co., to act as the local promoter for the Kingdom’s growing motorsports event portfolio, will allow the federation to focus on its role of growing and regulating motorsports nationally and in alignment with the FIA.

The consolidation of all current and future motorsport events and series under the Saudi Motorsport Co. banner will bring many benefits, including the improvement of operational efficiencies, savings on production costs, allowing the sharing of staff across events, as well as commercial benefits such as the bundling of rights, and optimizing commercial revenues across a structured national motorsport events calendar.


Roma defender Saud Abdulhamid makes history as 1st Saudi to score in European championship

Updated 5 sec ago
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Roma defender Saud Abdulhamid makes history as 1st Saudi to score in European championship

  • Historic goal came with Roma already leading 1-0 against SC Braga in the Europa League group stage
  • Abdulhamid in August became the 1st Saudi player to join a top European side on a permanent basis

ROME: AS Roma’s right-back defender Saud Abdulhamid made history on Thursday after becoming the first Saudi player to score in a European championship when his club beat SC Braga 3-0.
Roma were leading 1-0 against their Portuguese rivals at Olimpico Stadium in the UEFA Europa League group stage when Abdulhameed scored his historic goal in the 47th minute, taking the score to 2-0.
Abdulhamid in August became the first Saudi player to join a top European side on a permanent basis, leaving Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal to sign for AS Roma in Italy’s Serie A for a reported $3 million fee.
Since he joined the Serie A club at the beginning of 2024/2025 season, the 25-year-old defender has played five games — two in the Italian competition, and three in the Europa League.
Spanish defender Mario Hermoso scored Roma’s third goal.


21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang

Updated 12 December 2024
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21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang

  • This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale

RIYADH: A dramatic opening round of LIV Golf Promotions on Thursday saw 21 players secure their spots in the second round at Riyadh Golf Club, including Jon Rahm’s former college roommate, rising talents from Brazil and Hong Kong, and one golfer using borrowed clubs.

This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale. The ultimate winner earns a coveted place in the 2025 LIV Golf League, while the top 10 will gain entry into all International Series events next year.

Korea’s Jeunghun Wang led the pack, finishing with a 7-under 64. His performance, highlighted by long putts and consistent play, put him atop the leaderboard.

“Some lucky shots went in, including some long putts, which helped me play well heading into tomorrow,” he said.

Close behind were five players tied for second on 65, while nine players shot 66. The final six players advanced by meeting the cutline of 4-under 67, leaving 43 others eliminated.

Among the standout players was 24-year-old Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, who carded a 6-under round featuring an eagle on the par-5 15th after a 355-yard drive.

Kho, who also advanced from the first round at last year’s Promotions tournament before being eliminated in the second round, emphasized the need to approach Friday’s round as a fresh start.

“Last year I couldn’t get past the fact that it was a clean reset after round 1,” he said.

“I remember last year I had a great first round as well, and I felt like I carried on some of those thoughts and feelings as I would do a regular tournament going into the second round, going into tomorrow, it’s important for me to just understand it’s a completely new day.”

Germany’s Max Rottluff, who shares a collegiate connection with LIV Golf star Jon Rahm, also shot 6-under. Rottluff credited Rahm for inspiring his career revival after nearly quitting golf in 2022. 

“We still talk quite a bit and whatnot, so it would be a dream come true to join those guys,” Rottluff said.

“I was considering giving it up back at the end of ‘22, and I spent a week with him, and that really kind of straightened out my head and went out and won two times that year on the Challenge Tour, kind of went back on a better trajectory again,” he added.

South Africa’s Ian Snyman, another standout with a 65, relished the opportunity to reconnect with LIV Golf. A former Cleeks GC player, he said: “It’s exciting. It’s something we all want to be part of. I like the team aspect.”

Mexico’s Jose Islas delivered a remarkable 66 despite playing with borrowed clubs, as his own equipment failed to arrive in Riyadh. Islas, who turned professional this year, demonstrated resilience and adaptability, even holing an eagle shot during a practice round. “It’s not about the clubs, it’s more about how I thought the shots I was going to hit,” he said.

Brazil’s Fred Biondi, the 2023 NCAA Individual Champion, and Spain’s Luis Masaveu, a former US Amateur semifinalist, also posted bogey-free 66s.

The opening round fostered camaraderie among players, with Ireland’s Mark Power, Spain’s Borja Virto and England’s David Horsey advancing together after strong performances.

Veteran American players Bo Hoag and Ollie Schniederjans also moved forward, with Hoag expressing excitement about the prospect of joining LIV Golf’s global schedule. “I think it would be fun,” he said.


Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy

Updated 12 December 2024
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Dortmund to host Germany’s Nations League clash with Italy

  • The match will take place at the 82,000-seat home of Borussia Dortmund on March 23

DORTMUND: Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion will host the second leg of Germany’s Nations League quarter-final clash with Italy in March 2025, the German FA (DFB) announced Thursday.
The match will take place at the 82,000-seat home of Borussia Dortmund on March 23, three days after the first leg at Milan’s San Siro.
In a statement, DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller said: “Dortmund is the perfect location for what is a football classic.”
Germany, who are in the Nations League knockouts for the first time, won their most recent game at the venue, a 2-0 victory over Denmark in the Euro 2024 quarter finals.
Unlike England’s Wembley and the Stade de France in Paris, Germany does not have a national football stadium, with games shared around the federal nation.


Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

Updated 12 December 2024
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Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan reveals cancer diagnosis

  • “Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said
  • “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully”

LONDON: Ex-Formula 1 team owner and media personality Eddie Jordan says he has been treated for “quite aggressive” cancer.
Speaking on the “Formula For Success” podcast which he hosts with former driver David Coulthard, Jordan said he was diagnosed this year and urged listeners to seek medical advice for any health concerns.
“Way back in March and April I was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer, and then it spread into the spine and the pelvis, so it was quite aggressive,” Jordan said.
In response to comments from Coulthard regarding chemotherapy, Jordan added: “Some very dark days in there, but we pulled out of it, thankfully.”
Irish businessman Jordan operated his own racing team in lower-level series before moving up to F1 in 1991, giving future seven-time champion Michael Schumacher his first race that year.
Other drivers over the years included Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.
Jordan Grand Prix won four races before Jordan sold the team in 2005. Following more sales and name changes since then, the team competes as Aston Martin.
The 76-year-old Jordan also acted as the manager for car design great Adrian Newey when he left Red Bull for Aston Martin this year.


Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track

Updated 12 December 2024
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Griezmann in PlayStation form has steered Atletico Madrid back on track

  • Griezmann and fellow forward Julián Álvarez have returned to form to lead Atletico on a 10-game winning streak
  • Atletico trail leader Barcelona by three points and are one point behind second-placed Real Madrid

MADRID: Antoine Griezmann wishes he was as good in the real world as he is on PlayStation. Based on his performances with Atletico Madrid, he must be really good on the video game.
Griezmann and fellow forward Julián Álvarez have returned to form to lead Atletico on a 10-game winning streak that has put the club back on track in the Champions League and Spanish league, where on Sunday they host Getafe with a chance to reach the top of the standings.
Atletico trail leader Barcelona by three points and are one point behind second-placed Real Madrid. Atletico and Madrid have a game in hand compared to Barcelona. The Catalan club host Leganes on Sunday, while Madrid visit Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Griezmann scored his sixth and seven goals in his last five matches in Atletico’s 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Álvarez scored his fifth goal in five matches.
Griezmann is a long-time fan of video games and used to make headlines for his Fortnite celebrations during that game’s hype a few years ago. The France star celebrated one of his goals at Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday alongside Pablo Barrios and Giuliano Simeone, two of his PlayStation playing partners, imitating the moves they make on the video game.
“We play FIFA a lot and that’s the celebration we usually do when we play together,” Griezmann said. He quickly added, “We are better on the Play than we are on the field.”
Griezmann, named the man of the match against Slovan, scored his goals in the 42nd and 57th minutes, after Álvarez — who arrived from Manchester City for more than $100 million in August — put Atletico ahead with a nice curling finish to open the scoring in the 16th. Slovan’s lone goal came in the second half.
Atletico’s attack has been key for the team’s resurgence since an October loss at Real Betis in La Liga. Since then, Diego Simeone’s team have outscored opponents 30-7 across all competitions. They have scored three or more goals in each of their last five games, something that hadn’t happened since 1950, according to UEFA.
“We’ve been playing really well, and the team as a whole are performing excellently,” Álvarez said. “Everyone, even those coming off the bench, has been contributing to the team. We are on the right path, and we have to keep working this way. All the competitions are very challenging but we’ve been doing really well.”
The victory against Slovan moved Atletico to 11th place in the Champions League standings, in position to try to grab one of the top eight spots in the league phase.
“We needed the points. They were very important for us to carry on with this dynamic,” coach Simeone said. “The team is responding to the situations we find ourselves in in these games. This reflects well on the team.”