DIRIYAH: Oscar winner Adrien Brody on Thursday put in an award-winning performance as he drove an innovative Formula E electric race car to experience the Formula E GEN3 race car on the track in Saudi Arabia.
“Getting to do some electric laps today (Thursday) in the Porsche Taycan safety car with more than 700hp was awesome,” Oscar winner and star of “The Pianist,” “Asteroid City” and “Succession,” Brody said in a media statement.
A big motorsport fan, who started the engine of his automotive passion racing drag cars in New York City growing up, Brody jumped at the chance to experience the Formula E GEN3 race car on the track where Formula E’s Diriyah E-Prix double-header of races is taking place.
“I grew up drag racing and have had some track experience in the past so I am hugely grateful for the chance to actually drive the Formula E GEN3 round the Diriyah Street Circuit,” Brody said.
Brody was wearing a full racing suit, boots, gloves and helmet, and Formula E engineers worked with the actor to ease him into the confines of the single-seater cockpit of the GEN3 — the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built.
Capable of speeds of more than 200mph, the actor expertly handled the GEN3 for two laps around the 2.49km, 22-turn street track that snakes around the walls of the historic UNESCO World Heritage site.
“It gave me even greater appreciation and respect for the sport and for the talent and skill and competitive spirit that these drivers possess. There’s so much torque in these electric vehicles and they are so incredibly light, so it takes a really refined touch to feather it through the turns, and keep it from getting squirrely even gunning it down the straightaway,” Brody said.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the world’s most competitive motorsport, with races typically featuring more than 100 overtakes and last season’s title race decided on the final weekend. The 2024 Diriyah E-Prix features a double-header of races on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27, taking place at night under sustainable LED lighting.
Adrien Brody heats up the desert in Formula E race
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Adrien Brody heats up the desert in Formula E race
- “Getting to do some electric laps today in the Porsche Taycan safety car with more than 700hp was awesome,” said the Oscar winner and star of “The Pianist”
- Brody was wearing a full racing suit, boots, gloves and helmet, and Formula E engineers worked with the actor to ease him into the confines of the single-seater cockpit of the GEN3
AlUla Trail Race 2026 opens for runner registration
- Open to beginners and experienced athletes worldwide
- Distances from 1.6km to 100km for children and adults
ALULA: Registration has now opened for the AlUla Trail Race to be held on Jan. 22 and 23 next year.
The contest offers local and international participants a selection of distances and challenges set against the dramatic landscapes and ancient heritage sites of AlUla, located in Madinah.
According to a Saudi Press Agency report on Wednesday, the race is open to beginners and experienced runners.
The series includes a Kids Run (1.6 km) for children aged 5 to 12, Sunset Run (3 km) for those 13 and above, and a 10 km and 23 km for more experienced participants.
There are also demanding 50 km and 100 km ultra trail races for the most resilient and skilled runners. All routes will end in Old Town, ensuring an exciting finish for both runners and spectators.
On the first day, runners will arrive to collect their race packs before taking part in the Kids Run and the Sunset Run. Race kits can be collected at the event village, which will be located at the amphitheater in Old Town.
Day two will host the competitive distances, beginning at sunrise with the 100 km, followed by the 50 km, 23 km, and 10 km. Medal ceremonies will take place throughout the day as runners cross the finish line.
The organizers said every participant will receive an official AlUla Trail Race 2026 pack, including a tote bag, buff, race T-shirt, timing chip, and bib number. Entry fees begin at SR100 ($26) and SR50 for children.
The contest is a part of the AlUla Moments 2025/26 calendar, a year-round schedule of events and festivals designed to promote the area as a premier destination for tourism, sports, culture, and heritage.
Other world-class sports events include the professional cycling AlUla Tour, AlUla Desert Polo, and the Al-Fursan Endurance AlUla — one of the most prestigious endurance races on the equestrian calendar.
