JEDDAH: Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, an authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation introduced on Monday the new Gazoo Racing Saudi Team, which is set to participate in the current season of the Saudi Toyota Championship.
The announcement was made at Hussein Jameel Hall in Jeddah with the attendance of ALJM members and senior management, representatives from SAMF and the Ministry of Sports, and prominent Saudi racers Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Dania Akeel.
In addition to announcing the team, the team vehicles — Yaris GR, GR 86, and Supra —were unveiled with the new GR team branding.
Sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the team comprises four male drivers — Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Kabbani, Mahmoud Abed and Yousef Bahuwirth — and one female driver, Reem Al-Abood, who topped the list of female participants at the recently launched GR Saudi Driving School.
The team will potentially compete in the Autocross, Drift, and Time Attack disciplines at the upcoming event taking place in Al-Ahsa between Sept. 28-30.
“The path to excellence begins with investing in our youth. In line with Vision 2030, initiatives like the GR Saudi Driving School and subsequent launch of the GR Saudi Team (strengthen) the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for motorsports,” said Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of SAMF.
He added: “We are honored to be part of this transformative journey, providing aspiring drivers with unparalleled opportunities. Through our efforts, we are not only nurturing the next generation of motorsports champions but also fostering a culture of determination and success. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Saudi talent on both local and global stages.”
The winners were selected following a rigorous training and assessment program that took place at the GR Saudi Driving School at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. As part of the program, the five drivers were coached by Abdullah Bakhashab, Paul Spooner, and Hatim Natto, whose collective wealth of knowledge helped unlock these winners’ potential by becoming the first members of the GR Saudi Team.
Hassan Jameel, chairman of the board of managers at ALJM, said: “In collaboration with SAMF, we are thrilled to announce the GR Saudi Team. This initiative reflects our unwavering dedication to Saudi Arabian motorsports and the next generation of Saudi drivers. By mobilizing the power of strategic partnerships to identify and nurture exceptional talent, the collaboration is proactively contributing to Vision 2030’s ‘Quality of Life’ program. We are proud to have laid the foundations for success, as these athletes go from talented drivers to motorsports champions.”
