RIYADH: Desert rally driver Dania Akeel has become the first Saudi woman to join Red Bull’s elite group of International Champions following her resounding achievements in the sport.
Akeel, who self-describes as a “motorsports athlete,” made history last year when she won the T3 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas in Italy.
She was chosen to join the Red Bull International Champions on the back of her “remarkable achievements in desert rallying by becoming the first Saudi athlete to attain a first-of-its-kind feat,” said a media statement issued on Friday.
The statement added that Akeel is currently preparing to compete in this year’s T3 World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, which begins next month.
Following the announcement, Akeel expressed her happiness at joining the group of elite champions “under the auspices of Red Bull, because it increases my enthusiasm, encourages me to present the best in my career and (to) continue to accomplish further achievements and victories.
“Red Bull will be an additional incentive for me to intensify my efforts to (achieving) more victories … future,” she added.
This season Akeel is set to participate in at least 13 local, regional and international rallies, her largest annual participation schedule so far after joining the world of desert rallies two years ago.
Dania Akeel named first female Saudi Red Bull International Champion
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Dania Akeel named first female Saudi Red Bull International Champion
- Akeel receives accolade for her achievements in desert rallying after 2022 T3 World Cup win
- Driver expressed her happiness at joining the group of elite world champions
McLaren hit by fuel-supply issue during F1 testing
- “During the lunch break the team identified an issue on the fuel system that required extensive investigation,” McLaren said
- As a result, their second testing session was cut short
PARIS: McLaren revealed on Thursday that they encountered a fuel-supply problem with their Mercedes engine during the penultimate day of pre-season private testing in Barcelona.
After world champion Lando Norris became the first to take the wheel of the new MCL40 on Wednesday, his Australian team-mate Oscar Piastri completed 48 laps of the circuit on Thursday morning.
“During the lunch break the team identified an issue on the fuel system that required extensive investigation,” McLaren said in a statement.
As a result, their second testing session was cut short.
“There’s a lot of challenges this year up and down the grid, so it was good to get stuck in,” said Piastri.
“These cars are completely different to what we’ve had the last few years. That’s part of what this test is about.”
Aston Martin unveiled their new car on Thursday, designed by British engineer Adrian Newey.
Lance Stroll was first to take it out on track, with Spain’s Fernando Alonso set to drive on Friday, according to the team.
With the upheaval in technical regulations set to take effect for the upcoming season, teams are focusing this week on the reliability of their cars rather than performance.
A clearer picture of each team’s competitive performance will only emerge during the two official test sessions in Bahrain in February, ahead of the season?opening Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8.
