FIA joins forces with FIM in coalition against online abuse

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and FIM President Jorge Viegas sign a charter to counter online abuse in sport. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 July 2023
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FIA joins forces with FIM in coalition against online abuse

  • Presidents of FIA and FIM sign charter pledging cooperation to stop hate speech in sport
  • FIA-led campaign underpinned by research programme with six global scholarships

BRUSSELS: The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile announced on Sunday the signing of a charter for collaboration with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme as part of the global coalition to counter online abuse in sport. 

The signing between FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and his counterpart at FIM, Jorge Viegas, took place at the Francorchamps circuit ahead of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

Under the pledge, the FIA and FIM will contribute to the fight against online hate speech in sport, which is a major challenge for sport and society. 

The pledge includes upholding and promoting best practices in relation to the prevention, spread and removal of online hate speech in sport in all its forms. 

It also includes maintaining an open dialogue with stakeholders including athletes, volunteers, officials, fans, online platforms, technology businesses, government and regulatory bodies in the campaign to remove online hate speech from sport.

Sharing knowledge and research on online hate speech in sport to help eradicate its harmful effects and keep sport social is also included, as is fostering a collaborative approach between sporting bodies, online platforms, technology businesses, government and regulatory bodies to promote a transparent, positive and inclusive sports environment that helps to counter the effects of online hate speech in sport. 

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president, said: “The signing of the Charter by FIM is part of our mission to build a global coalition to stop hate speech in sport. We are grateful for the support of Jorge Viegas and his team as we take steps to drive out online abuse, which has become a blight on all sport. Sustained toxicity has reached deplorable levels and we must take collaborative action. Only through collaborative action can we bring about behavioural and regulatory change.”

Jorge Viegas, FIM president, said: “By signing the charter today, FIM gives its support to the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign alongside the sporting bodies, online platforms, governments and regulatory bodies. Sport is a fantastic platform to teach values such as fairness, teamwork, equality, inclusion and respect. Together we must do everything possible to promote a transparent, positive sports environment to change attitudes and tackle hate speech and online abuse in sport.”

The charter is a central pillar of the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign — a collaborative mission between national governments, regulatory institutions and fellow sporting bodies — with the objective of building a “global coalition to stop hate speech in sport.” 

The FIA is in advanced discussions with the IOC and FIFA, as well as representatives from the governing bodies of athletics, rugby, a number of other sports and the Peace and Sport Organisation.

Support for the campaign has also come from Prince Albert of Monaco, the rulers of Malaysia and Spain, the British minister for trade, and the prime minister of Slovenia, among others. 

The FIA is taking a knowledge-led approach to the campaign, which includes the launch of six scholarships. These scholarships will invite researchers worldwide to collaborate against online hate speech in sport while earning a master’s by research.

The scholarships fall under the auspices of the FIA University and are backed by the FIA Foundation. The FIA is partnering with Dublin City University, one of the world’s leading centres for research in the field of online hate speech, on the initiative. 

It will be a distance-learning programme spanning two years part-time and starting in January 2024. The FIA scholarship covers all academic fees and costs. The scholarship programme is part of the FIA’s equality, diversity and inclusion commitment. 


Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China

Updated 06 October 2024
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Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China

  • Al-Qemzi and Comparato set sights on Zhengzhou after Shanghai race brought to an early finish

SHANGHAI: Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt extended his lead in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship with victory in the Grand Prix of Shanghai, where hazardous conditions brought the race to an early finish.

Just 11 of the scheduled 32 laps had been completed when the Grand Prix was halted for safety reasons, with Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi and defending world champion Jonas Andersson among those to suffer as the weather took its toll.

After climbing two places to sixth as he looked to fight his way through the storm, Al-Qemzi slipped to a 10th-place finish, while Andersson narrowly avoided a spectacular crash and conceded second place in the title race as conditions deteriorated.

Under pressure from fellow-Swede Erik Stark, Andersson dramatically saved himself after spinning sideways, but was unable to prevent the Victory Team driver nudging him down to third spot in the Grand Prix, and the championship.

It was a tough weekend all round for Team Abu Dhabi, with Alberto Comparato finishing 14th and, like Al-Qemzi, he will be aiming for a big lift when the penultimate round takes place in Zhengzhou in two weeks’ time.

Championship rookie Wyatt was the driver who coped best throughout as the weather first ruled out the first free practice session, and yesterday forced the cancellation of the two sprint races.

He was fastest in the second practice session before clinching pole position and built a comfortable lead from the Grand Prix start, eventually finishing with a 7.2-second advantage over Stark, and now leads him by 17.5 points in the championship.

Twice a Grand Prix winner in China, veteran Emirati driver Al Qemzi will seldom have raced in more challenging conditions during an F1H2O career stretching back to 2000.

He will now look forward to his 157th race start in Zhengzhou with the intention of adding to a Grand Prix record that includes 10 race victories and 45 podium finishes.

With the threat of a typhoon ever present in Shanghai, his Abu Dhabi team-mate Comparato had joined race and team officials to carry out a safety check on the circuit in a rescue boat, before the decision was taken to cancel Saturday’s sprint races.

“It was very bad,” he said. “It was even tricky with the rescue boat, For me, it was too dangerous.”

2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship standings
Rusty Wyatt (CAN) 87pts
Erik Stark (SWE) 69.5
Jonas Andersson (SWE) 69
Peter Morin (FRA) 54.5
Bartek Marszalek (POL) 48
Stefan Arand (EST) 34.5
Marit Stromoy (NOR) 32
Sami Selio (FIN) 31
Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) 27.5
Ben Jelf (GB) 26.5


Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session

Updated 02 October 2024
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Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session

  • Electric car series announces first for an FIA Championship, holding a dedicated test session for female drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
  • 22 drivers competing in the series set to use the latest GEN3 Evo race car

LONDON: Formula E has announced that the first all-women test session of an FIA Championship will take place on Nov. 7 at Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, as part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s pre-season testing schedule.

The first-of-its-kind test in the all-electric championship gives elite women racing drivers the opportunity to drive the Season 11 (2024-25) GEN3 Evo car, which is capable of 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds — 30 percent faster than a current Formula 1 car. The vehicle will also be tested during the same week by the 11 race teams and 22 drivers currently competing in the series.

Each of the race teams in the championship will be required to field at least one woman driver for the half-day test, but encouraged to field two, who will drive in current-season cars.

With all the women on the track at the same time, the session will create a tangible platform for a wide pool of elite drivers who would not otherwise get an opportunity to drive machinery at this level.

The test will aim to provide the women not only with a destination, but also a pathway to develop their careers and skills using current technology.

The drivers will take part in multiple media opportunities at the Valencia track, including press conferences, briefings and interviews, while content will be captured for broadcast and social media on behalf of Formula E and its respective teams.

Formula E is proactively launching this initiative as part of a broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship. (Supplied)

This is to raise the drivers’ profile within elite motorsport and the wider sports industry, along with encouraging those involved at grassroots level and aspiring to work in motorsport. The full lineup of women drivers participating in the test will be announced in the coming weeks by each Formula E team.

Despite motorsport being one of the few sports in which men and women can compete together, it remains predominantly male, with only 3 percent of current top-tier racing licenses worldwide held by women.

Formula E is proactively launching this initiative as part of a broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship. It is not just about creating a one-off opportunity; it is about analyzing and actively dismantling the structural inequalities that have limited women’s participation and progress.

Jeff Dodds, CEO at Formula E, said: “We know there isn’t a simple solution for greater diversity in motorsport. If we’re going to truly give women equality, opportunity and visibility in our series, however, conditions for all need to be the same to aid their development and test themselves against those already on the starting grid.

“Unlike other series where women drivers have to use old or restricted machinery, they’ll be using the state-of-the-art GEN3 Evo car that accelerates 30 percent faster than an F1 car, just as our championship drivers do.

“We also recognize that one test will not solve the longstanding issue, but we have to start somewhere, knowing there is a long way to go and making sure we’re making proactive, consistent steps that continue to make forward progress.

“As a motorsport with an almost-equal split of male and female fans, as well as within Formula E including my exec and director teams, we believe it’s only right that our drivers and wider ecosystem is representative of those that follow and support the sport.”


Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge

Updated 02 October 2024
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Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge

  • Saudi driver, alongside co-driver Faisal Al-Swaih, line up for second season in demanding off-road rally series

JEDDAH: Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar is preparing to retain her Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge T4 category title when the series gets underway next week.

Jazzar, alongside her co-driver Faisal Al-Swaih, will line up for their second season in the demanding off-road rally series.

Jazzar told Arab News she was ready for the competition, stating: “I am completely prepared for this rally physically and mentally, and extremely excited and eagerly looking forward to this unique experience. We will do our utmost to achieve an honorable victory.”

She added that her confidence is further boosted by the expertise of her co-driver, who brings valuable experience in managing technical challenges and navigating complex terrains.

“Me and my co-driver Al-Swaih, who has high experience and skills in dealing with technical problems and reading geographical terrain, are confident in our abilities, as we strive to win the title of our category for the second time,” she said.

Jazzar, a successful entrepreneur and advocate for motorsports, has become a symbol of Saudi women’s increasing participation in international racing.

She said she remains focused on representing her country at the highest level, hoping to replicate her previous success and raise the Saudi flag on the podium once again.

The Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge series, consisting of four rounds, will commence next Saturday and will run until April 2025. Competitors will face a variety of tough desert conditions as they compete for top honors.

Event calendar:

Round 1: Oct. 12, 2024
Round 2: Nov. 3, 2024
Round 3: Jan. 11, 2025
Round 4: April 12, 2025


Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship

Updated 28 September 2024
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Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship

RIYADH: The 2024 Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship's first round concluded on Friday at the Dirab Circuit in Riyadh with winners receiving their awards.

Organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Motorsports, the event saw competition over three days, featuring 58 participants from Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

Winners in various car categories included Muslim Al-Qallaf, Ibrahim Al-Shunaifi, Faisal Al-Ahmad, and Majid Al-Harbi.

In motorcycle categories, Khalid Ali Al-Dosari claimed multiple victories.

The top winners were honored in an awards ceremony led by Khalid Al-Suwaidan, CEO of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.


McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race

Updated 22 September 2024
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McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race

  • Norris got away brilliantly from pole and was clear of Verstappen into the first bend

SINGAPORE: Formula One title contender Lando Norris led from pole to chequered flag to win the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, narrowing the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen, who was second.
It was the McLaren driver’s third career GP win and his first from pole at his sixth attempt.
Teammate Oscar Piastri was third to extend their lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
It was a remarkably incident-free run around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the first in its 15-race history not to see a safety car deployed.
At the end of the 62 uninterrupted laps, Norris had reduced Verstappen’s title lead to 52 points with six races and three sprints to go.
Piastri’s third place, coupled with Sergio Perez only managing 10th in the second Red Bull, meant McLaren’s lead in the constructors’ championship was increased to 41 points.
Norris got away brilliantly from pole and was clear of Verstappen into the first bend as Lewis Hamilton, on softer tires, tried to put pressure on the Dutchman.
But the three-time world champion repelled the Englishman and all the cars completed the opening lap safely.
Norris soon opened up a gap of more than a second over Verstappen, importantly keeping the Englishman out of DRS range of his title rival.
Hamilton from third was the only front-runner to start on soft tires, but he paid a penalty for it after he had to pit early on lap 18.
The aim was clearly to go all the way to the end but after just five laps on the new rubber he complained on team radio: “I’m already struggling with this tyre.”
Norris was in a league of his own up front as he stretched his lead over Verstappen to 20 seconds by lap 26.
Despite a few late brushes with the unforgiving Singapore street circuit walls, the Englishman secured a dominant victory.
“It was an amazing race,” said Norris.
“A few too many close calls, I had a couple of close moments in the middle but it was well managed I think.
“I could push, we were flying the whole race. Still tough, I’m a bit out of breath, but a good one.”
Piastri started from fifth but a superior strategy enabled him to overhaul Hamilton and the second Mercedes of George Russell in the late stages.
“It was a good race, a good recovery from qualifying — it wasn’t my best afternoon yesterday,” said Piastri.
“Big thank you to the team as clearly the car was exceptional this weekend, and some great points.”
Verstappen’s only chance looked like a safety car that never came.
“My race was just by myself, do the best I could, manage my own race,” said the three-time world champion.
“On a weekend we knew we were going to struggle, P2 is a good achievement. But now we need to improve, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Hamilton on much older tires than the field was a sitting duck toward the end lost another place on lap 50 to the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc who had begun from ninth on the grid.
Leclerc finished ahead of Hamilton, with the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in seventh.
Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg and Perez rounded out the top 10.