Maserati and ROKiT Venturi Racing announce Formula E partnership ahead of Rome E-Prix

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Updated 07 April 2022
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Maserati and ROKiT Venturi Racing announce Formula E partnership ahead of Rome E-Prix

  • Maserati and ROKiT Venturi Racing have selected the Rome E-Prix to announce their multi-year partnership

LONDON: Maserati is on track to make its debut in electric racing when it joins Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with ROKiT Venturi Racing in Rome this weekend.

Given the Italian roots of the brand, Maserati and ROKiT Venturi Racing have selected the Rome E-Prix to announce their multi-year partnership, united with a fighting spirit and a continued thirst for ground-breaking innovation.

Maserati is the first Italian brand to participate in the Formula E championship and will make its debut on the starting grid with the new Gen3 car.

Ahead of the Rome E-Prix, ROKiT Venturi Racing is leading the way in the two World Championships, for Teams and Drivers.

Last season, the team's campaign was the most successful to date, taking two victories, five podiums and Swiss-Italian driver Edoardo Mortara finishing as runner-up in the standings.

“Returning to motorsport with Formula E was a natural choice for Maserati,” Davide Grasso, Maserati CEO, said. “Indeed, we are driven by our passion and innovation and we’re happy to share this adventure with a partner that abides by the same values as we do and is looking ahead to the future, just like us. 

“We share with the ROKiT Venturi Racing team the same determination and desire to compete and win on circuits all over the world,” he added.

Scott Swid, chairman and managing partner at ROKiT Venturi Racing, said: “Partnering with Maserati for Gen3 is brilliant news. It’s excellent for the team, for Maserati and Formula E, but above all else, it’s fantastic news for the fans who will witness the return of an iconic marque to top-tier motorsport.

He continued: “Not only does this establish strong foundations for our long-term future in Formula E, but it also marks one of the most exciting stories in international sport in which a prestigious brand is returning to its roots by joining the most progressive and fastest-growing form of motorsport.”

Susie Wolff, CEO and managing partner and former team principal at ROKiT Venturi Racing, added: “Uniting with Maserati marks the start of a new chapter and represents the best possible outcome for the team following our successful partnership with Mercedes.

“Being entrusted with the return of one of motorsport’s most recognisable brands to international single-seater competition underlines our success in recent seasons in which we have firmly established ourselves as a commercially viable, race-winning team that can seriously contend for championships.

“With this commitment, the team is now in a fantastic position to contest Formula E’s next generation of competition which will commence in 2023,” she added.

Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP, STELLANTIS Motorsport, said: “We are delighted to partner Formula E Maserati with ROKiT Venturi Racing, one of the most competitive teams in the championship, it is a real asset for Maserati to rely on Venturi expertise.

“We think that the collaboration of Maserati design skills and Venturi racing capabilities and experience will deliver a very efficient package. Our common DNA and passion for performance will unite the team.”


Al-Rajhi sets fastest time in Hail Baja prologue

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Al-Rajhi sets fastest time in Hail Baja prologue

  • Prologue covered a total distance of 35 kilometres, including a 6-kilometre timed special stage
  • Yazeed Al-Rajhi claimed first place, in the cars category, after setting the fastest time of 3 minutes 57 seconds and 1 millisecond

HAIL, Saudi Arabia: The Baja Hail Toyota International Rally 2026 began on Thursday with the running of the prologue stage in the Mushar area, marking the official start of competition in the Hail region. The rally is organised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the Hail Region Emirate and the Hail Region Development Authority. Jameel Motorsport is the official partner, alongside the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.

The prologue covered a total distance of 35 kilometres, including a 6-kilometre timed special stage. It attracted a strong international field, with several competitors arriving in Hail shortly after the conclusion of the Dakar Rally earlier this month. The event also serves as the opening round of multiple international and regional championships, including the FIA World Baja Cup, FIA Middle East Baja Cup, FIM World Baja Cup and FIM Asia Baja Cup, as well as the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship.

A total of 152 drivers and navigators, including 73 Saudis, are competing across 93 vehicles in six categories: Ultimate, Stock, Challenger, Side-by-Side, motorcycles and quad bikes.

In the cars category, Yazeed Al-Rajhi claimed first place after setting the fastest time of 3 minutes 57 seconds and 1 millisecond. Sawood Variawa followed in second, 8 seconds behind, while Nasser Al-Attiyah completed the top three, a further 19 seconds adrift.

In the Bikes category, Alex McInnes took top honours with a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds and 4 milliseconds. Haitham Al-Tuwwayjiri finished second, 12 seconds back, with Abdallah Abuaisheh securing third place, 17 seconds off the lead.

The National category of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship was led by Faris Al-Shammari, who topped the classification after completing the prologue in 4 minutes 50 seconds and 1 millisecond. Ahmad Al-Shammari placed second, 2 seconds behind, followed by Majed Al-Shammari in third, 5 seconds off the lead.

Under rally regulations, the top 10 competitors in the prologue earn the right to select their starting positions for Stage One, with priority determined by their final classification in the prologue.

During the press conference that preceded the Prologue stage, the competitors have expressed their readiness for the challenge. Xx said:

Stage One of the Baja Hail Toyota International Rally 2026 takes place on Friday, Jan. 30, starting from the Baqaa area and covering a total distance of 414 kilometres, including 242 kilometres of timed special stages. The rally concludes on Saturday, Jan 31, with the second and final stage from the same area over 323 kilometres, including 151 kilometres against the clock.