‘A new era’ beckons with inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in Qiddiya City

JBX Powered by Team Monaco Spanish driver Christine Giampaoli competes in a hydrogen-powered car during the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in Qiddiya on October 9, 2025. (File/AFP)
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Updated 13 October 2025
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‘A new era’ beckons with inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in Qiddiya City

  • Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor drive Saudi team Jameel Sport to victory in the first-ever hydrogen motorsport event

QIDDIYA CITY: Jameel Motorsport’s Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor were on Sunday crowned champions of the first-ever FIA Extreme H World Cup.

The first hydrogen-powered motorsport competition sanctioned by the FIA, brought together eight international teams, all male-female driver pairings, for three days of racing featuring a new format which included Time Trials, Head-to-Head duels, and an eight-car final.

Racing against the backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, the cars were powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells, proving that zero-emission racing can deliver world-class performance.

After topping the standings through the early rounds, Hansen (SWE) and Taylor (AUS) dominated the final from pole position.

Hansen built a commanding lead in the opening laps before Taylor brought the car home for a decisive victory, finishing 7.068 seconds ahead of Carl Cox Motorsport, with Team EVEN completing the podium.

“To win the first-ever FIA Extreme H World Cup is probably the biggest achievement of my career,” said Hansen. “Standing on pole for a Saudi team, knowing winner takes all, it was huge pressure, but it feels incredible to make history.”

Teammate Taylor commented: “It’s been a pretty emotional day. It’s been such an intense week, particularly the last three days. It's pretty hard to describe. You have to be on it every step of the way.

“It feels very sweet to be able to deliver this, for Jameel Motorsport, for all our crew, we all banded together to make this happen.”

The FIA Extreme H World Cup is designed to demonstrate how hydrogen can play a major role in a sustainable, high-performance future, while also promoting gender equality — with every team fielding one male and one female driver competing on equal terms.

Across the three days, Team KMS took the first medal in the Time Trial, STARD triumphed in the Head-to-Heads, and Jameel Motorsport sealed the ultimate prize in the eight-car final.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Co., said: “From the heart of Qiddiya City, we write today a new chapter in global motorsport.

“The launch of the FIA Extreme H World Cup marks a transformative milestone, showing how competition, innovation, and sustainability can move forward hand in hand.

“Let’s celebrate a new era: powered by hydrogen, driven by ambition, and built for the future.”


Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal in Man City’s win in the English League Cup

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Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal in Man City’s win in the English League Cup

  • The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged in a yoga pose
  • Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute

MANCHESTER: Rayan Cherki recreated teammate Erling Haaland’s goal celebrations after curling an exquisite shot into the top corner in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Brentford in the English League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged in a yoga pose after giving a much-changed City team a 32nd-minute lead.
With his tricks, skills and wonderful technique, Cherki is already proving a fans’ favorite in his first season in Manchester after moving from Lyon.
In a win over Sunderland this month, he produced a “rabona” cross that was headed in by Phil Foden but left City manager Pep Guardiola urging Cherki to play with “simplicity” like Lionel Messi.
The goal against Brentford was one Messi would have been proud of. Collecting a headed clearance at the edge of the box, Cherki deceived an opponent by switching the ball to his right foot and then whipped a shot into the top corner.
Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute with a shot that was aided by a huge deflection that looped over Brentford goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson.
Haaland was named as a substitute for the game, didn’t come on, and was seen shaking the hand of Cherki when the midfielder was replaced in the second half.
City joined Chelsea, which beat third-tier Cardiff City 3-1 on Tuesday, in the semifinals.
Defending champion Newcastle were playing Fulham in a later kickoff on Wednesday. The quarterfinals are wrapped up next week when Arsenal host Crystal Palace.