JEDDAH: It is fair to say that Alpine have not had the best of starts to the Formula 1 season.
An underwhelming opening weekend in Bahrain for Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon was followed, days later by sweeping changes at management level, with three new appointments as technical directors: Joe Burnell (engineering), David Wheater (aerodynamics), and Ciaron Pilbeam (performance).
Before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Gasly told Arab News that he expected another “tough” race, with the car having had no upgrades since Bahrain. He subsequently retired from the race, while Ocon improved from 18th on the grid to finish 13th.
But there was far better news for Alpine elsewhere last weekend, with Abbi Pulling having a win and a P2 finish at inaugural, all-female F1 Academy races in Saudi, and Kush Maini finishing second in the Formula 2 category.
Pulling was delighted with her first experience by the Red Sea.
“We did a three-day test two weeks ago, but before that I’d never driven the track, only on a simulator. We were actually pretty well prepared coming into the first race. But what a track — the circuit of the year for me; I don’t know if anything would top it.”
Pulling finished second in the first race on Friday, and said the narrow streets of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit suited her style of driving “to a T”.
“The close walls, fine lines,” the 20-year-old told Arab News. “It’s unforgiving, that’s the word that I like to use. It’s like what I grew up with in the UK. The UK tracks are normally very tight and unforgiving. And I think it plays into my favor here, the speed and everything. I just absolutely love it.”
Another factor for Pulling to contend with was the heat.
“The races have been tough, it’s been at the hottest point in the day at around three o’clock,” she said. “As a Brit, we’re not used to the heat, so I’ve been in P2 for both of them, starting from P2 and finishing in P2.”
Pulling crossed the finish line second in race two, but was later awarded victory after Doriane Pin, the French winner of race one, received a penalty.
“In race two, we had a really good fight and I was putting on a lot of pressure. So that was a very big positive for me and the team. Just looking forward to Miami and continuing that fight.”
Following round two in Miami, F1 Academy will move on to Barcelona (June 20-23), Zandvoort (Aug. 22-24), Singapore (Sept. 19-21), and Doha (Nov. 28-30) before finishing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec. 5-7).
“I really want to keep this momentum forward,” said Pulling.”The biggest thing about winning championships is consistency and keeping your head, and I think that will be really important this year. Nothing’s changed, I need to make sure that I don’t get ahead of myself, don’t get too big for my boots, and just keep clicking along like I have with the team.”
Pulling also praised the three Arab drivers who are part of F1 Academy: Saudi Arabia’s Reema Juffali, and the Emirati sisters Amna and Hamda Al-Qubaisi.
“Reema is a proper local, she grew up in Jeddah, so it’s great to have a local driver,” she said. “And the Qubaisis are obviously pretty local as well. So, it’s amazing for them to have a home race, I’m very jealous because I’d love to be racing at Silverstone. It’s great, the level is high, they are all very competitive, especially Hamda and Amna, who have come from the back of last year having a successful season.”
The British driver reaffirmed what it means to have F1 Academy provide an opportunity for a new generation of female drivers.
“It’s incredible to be a part of it,” said Pulling. “All of us are pioneering the way with Susie (Wolff), we’re creating a platform for females to be seen and show their talents off, which is so special to be a part of. I never really had that when I was younger, had something to watch where there were lots of females, and I was very lucky that I was exposed to motorsport through my family and my dad. So, it’s nice to be that person for someone to get them into motorsport and inspire them to push and try something different and go against the grain.”
Alpine’s F2 driver, Kush Maini from India, is similarly charting his own path, and having started ninth on the grid, fought back to grab second place and a podium finish.
“Good race. I think (on Friday) we struggled, so we changed the car a lot (for Saturday), and I’m glad everything worked out because we seem to be back on the pace,” he said.
“We pulled out a big gap and the safety car troubled us slightly, but I think Enzo (Fittipladi) was too quick for us. I’m happy we finished second, we got some good points in the championship, but I’m also happy that we made a big step in the car.”
It was Maini’s second year racing at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and like Pulling, he found the layout to his liking.
“Obviously, I’m with a new team this year, but this track is amazing,” he said. “It’s amazing from a driver’s point of view, and I always enjoy myself when I come here.
“I’d like to think every track suits me, but it was a great pleasure to drive around.”
The 23-year-old said that joining Alpine has seen his life-long ambitions realized.
“It’s my first time being associated with an F1 team,” Maini said. “And to do it with Alpine has always been a dream of mine. Just me coming here after every session and speaking to some of the bosses and just being involved in everything improves my experience so much. And it’s really an honor and an amazing opportunity for myself.”
Maini believes having races in this part of the world will increase the chances of local drivers emerging to compete at the highest level of motorsports.
“Coming from a country like India, where racing isn’t as big as, let’s say, Europe, for me every step toward more views or people getting more into it, is amazing. It’s great to see it growing every year and in countries like India and Saudi and places where it was not a normal sport, five, six years ago.”
Miani is optimistic about the rest of the F2 season, with a view to making the ultimate step up eventually.
“I think it’s positive,” he said. “It’s very early, but every weekend we’ll be pushing to do our best and the goal is to fight for the championship so that’s the main target.”
“Of course, (Formula 1) is my goal,” he added. “It’s always been my goal.”
If Maini needs any inspiration, he could look to Jack Doohan, Alpine’s reserve and test driver, and a third-place finisher in F2 last season.
“It’s been really special to be honest. I joined Alpine Academy in 2022 and then went into a sort of makeshift role as reserve driver at the end of that year, into an official role from 2023,” the 21-year-old Australian said.
“So, technically, my third year in the team and second as reserve drive, and it’s been really cool, I feel very much part of the furniture, part of the team, and creating those connections with all the engineers and the mechanics and a good bunch of people. It’s very important to me and will prove crucial when I become a full-time driver.”
Doohan has driven on Jeddah Corniche Circuit three times since its launch in 2021.
“It’s one of my favorite tracks on the circuit,” he said. “It’s a super special place for me, especially under the lights.”
Doohan’s third-place finish in F2 last year was delivered against the odds, something that could even inspire Alpine’s senior drivers this year.
“It was a difficult start to the year, we had mechanical issues with the car that were able to find five rounds in, and so unfortunately, I didn’t really score any points up until then,” he said. “But to come back after that and still finish third, from that moment in time to the end of the event, we scored the most amount of points in the championship by about 30.
“We really did a good job to come back and, you can say, dominate that part of the season, but unfortunately, losing five rounds at the start of the year just meant we were a little bit too far back,” Doohan added.
“So, all in all, in what was in our control, we won the most races, scored the most points onwards from that test. When we had it together, we really did very well. Finishing my last Formula 2 race with a pole and a win, I’m looking forward to my next step.”
F1 Academy, F2 drivers hit positive notes for Alpine during tough Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
https://arab.news/jjwq5
F1 Academy, F2 drivers hit positive notes for Alpine during tough Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

- Senior drivers may have had underwhelming starts to the season, but Abbi Pulling and Kush Maini had an encouraging weekend in Jeddah
- Pulling was delighted with her first experience by the Red Sea
Ben Sulayem leads FIA to major financial recovery with best results in almost a decade

- Global motorsport organization returns to profit in FY2024, reversing years of deficits
Dubai: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile has reported its strongest financial performance in almost 10 years, marking a significant turnaround under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
According to figures released this week, the global governing body for motorsport and mobility organisations achieved an operating result of €4.7 million ($5.2 million) for the fiscal year 2024, a dramatic recovery from the €24 million loss recorded in 2021, the year before Ben Sulayem took office.
The turnaround is attributed to a wide-ranging strategic transformation led by the administration. Since taking office, Ben Sulayem has prioritized reforms in financial governance, transparency and operational efficiency across the organization.
“Upon my election as president of the FIA, I committed to ensuring a profitable operation,” said Ben Sulayem. “Today, I am incredibly proud to show that we have achieved this mission, delivering the strongest set of financial results in eight years.”
The FIA reported a total operating income of €182 million for 2024, a 17 percent year-on-year increase, with no outstanding financial debt and an equity ratio of 45 percent, signaling improved financial stability.
Key reforms introduced since 2021 include strengthened procurement controls, the introduction of quarterly internal reporting and a robust financial steering model. These changes have improved budget oversight and allowed the FIA to better allocate resources in line with its strategic objectives across both motorsport and mobility.
The federation also introduced a mid-year general assembly, ensuring more timely financial accountability, and will publish its second consecutive annual activity report ahead of the 2024 general assembly in June. The latest report will include a newly enhanced profit and loss presentation format aimed at increasing transparency.
The improved financial position enables the FIA to reinvest in its core programs, including support for 245 member clubs worldwide and the development of the seven world championships under its governance. It also strengthens the FIA’s ability to deliver on key objectives, including sustainability initiatives and grassroots motorsport development.
A nonprofit organization, the FIA is now well positioned to build on its financial recovery and continue delivering on its broader mandate to promote safe, accessible and sustainable motorsport on a global scale.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri’s streak

- Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up
- Verstappen held on to take his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix
IMOLA, Italy: Max Verstappen gave his Formula 1 title defense a big boost with victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday after a daring overtake on standings leader Oscar Piastri at the start.
The Dutch driver built a commanding lead which was wiped out when the safety car bundled the field back up. He still held on to win ahead of Lando Norris, who overtook his McLaren teammate Piastri for second with five laps remaining.
Verstappen took his second win of the season, and first since last month’s Japanese Grand Prix, and denied Piastri — who finished third — what would have been his fourth win in a row.
Verstappen praised his Red Bull team’s “fantastic execution all round” as the team marked its 400th F1 race with a win.
“The start itself wasn’t particularly great, but I was still on the outside line, or basically the normal (racing) line, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m just going to try and send it round the outside,’ and it worked really well,” Verstappen said of his crucial overtake. “That, of course, unleashed our pace because once we were in the lead, the car was good.”
Norris’ late-race move on Piastri was almost a copy of Verstappen’s, though Norris had the advantage of being on fresher tires than his teammate.
“We had a good little battle at the end between Oscar and myself, which is always tense, but always good fun,” Norris said, admitting that Verstappen and Red Bull were “too good for us today.”
Piastri’s lead over Norris in the standings was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen nine behind Norris.
Hamilton bounces back
Lewis Hamilton recovered from 12th on the grid to finish fourth in his first race for Ferrari in Italy.
Hamilton profited from a late-race fight between his teammate Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon of Williams.
Albon complained Leclerc had pushed him off the track as they battled for fourth, and Hamilton passed both drivers before Ferrari eventually asked Leclerc to yield fifth to Albon.
George Russell was seventh for Mercedes, ahead of Carlos Sainz, Jr. in the second Williams. Isack Hadjar was ninth for Racing Bulls and Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda was 10th after starting last following a crash in qualifying.
An action-packed ‘farewell’ to Imola
Overtaking was expected to be rare in what could be F1’s last race for the foreseeable future at Imola. Instead, the Italian fans were treated to Verstappen’s spectacular move at the start and plenty of other overtakes.
The narrow, bumpy Imola track has been a favorite among drivers, who have relished its old-school challenge since it returned to the F1 schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, its status as Italy’s second race — only the United States also hosts more than one — makes its position vulnerable.
“If we don’t come back here, it is going to be a shame,” Piastri said Saturday.
Sunday’s race was the last under Imola’s current contract, and while it isn’t officially goodbye yet, there has been no word about next year.
Piastri on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP as Ferrari struggles

- Piastri seemed to lose valuable time getting past cars toward the end of his final qualifying lap
- George Russell took third for Mercedes
IMOLA, Italy: Oscar Piastri fought his way through traffic to take pole position in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday as Ferrari had a terrible session, with neither car in the top 10.
Piastri seemed to lose valuable time getting past cars toward the end of his final qualifying lap but it still proved enough as Max Verstappen fell just .034 of a second short of the Australian’s time.
That gives Piastri a big advantage in Sunday’s race at a track where overtaking is notably difficult.
George Russell took third for Mercedes, pushing Piastri’s McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris down to fourth.
It was a tough day for the home fans as Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and Formula 1’s sole Italian driver, Kimi Antonelli, all qualified outside the top 10. All three were caught out by rivals improving their times at the end of the second part of qualifying, with Leclerc 11th, Hamilton 12th and Antonelli 13th.
Earlier in the session, heavy crashes for Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto brought out the red flag.
Piastri leads McLaren one-two in first Imola practice

- Australian Piastri lapped the Imola circuit with a fastest time of one minute 16.545 seconds
- Carlos Sainz was third on the timesheets for Williams
IMOLA, Italy: Formula One leader Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris in a McLaren one-two in first practice for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix that ended early on Friday after Gabriel Bortoleto crashed his Sauber.
Australian Piastri, winner of four of the last five races, lapped the Imola circuit with a fastest time of one minute 16.545 seconds on the softest tire compound with Norris 0.032 slower on a sunny afternoon.
Piastri leads Norris by 16 points after six races, with the 24-round season now starting its European phase after an opening run in Asia, the Middle East and United States.
The session was red-flagged and did not restart after Brazilian rookie Bortoleto crashed into the tire wall with some three minutes remaining. He stepped out unhurt.
Carlos Sainz was third on the timesheets for Williams, 0.052 off the pace, with Mercedes’ George Russell a further 0.002 slower.
Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, limbering up for his first race in Italy as a Ferrari driver, was fifth and 0.096 off the pace.
Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine with Red Bull’s four times world champion Max Verstappen seventh, William’s Alex Albon eighth and Bortoleto ninth with team mate Nico Hulkenberg completing the top 10.
“I can’t rely on the rear. It feels like I’m drifting everywhere,” complained Verstappen, last year’s winner at Imola, over the radio.
Mercedes’ 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, the only Italian on the starting grid and preparing for his home debut, was 13th fastest.
Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto, making his debut for Alpine after replacing dropped Australian Jack Doohan, lapped 17th fastest.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was unwell on Thursday and skipped his media duties, was 12th and ran wide into the gravel at one point. He also complained that his helmet was lifting.
Ben Sulayem drives major improvements to FIA’s international Sporting Code

- New guidance to significantly reduce maximum penalties for drivers by 50%
DUBAI: The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide, has announced that it is to make major improvements to Appendix B of its International Sporting Code following an extensive review commissioned by FIA’s President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The latest version of Appendix B of the ISC was introduced in January 2025, aligning the FIA with other global sporting organizations such as FIFA, the National Football League, and World Rugby, all of which have strong codes of conduct to protect the integrity of their respective sports.
Sulayem said: “As a former rally driver I know firsthand the range of emotions that are faced during competition. I have led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA world championships, FIA member clubs and other motor sports organizations.
“The improvements the FIA has announced today to Appendix B will ensure we continue to promote the best of sportsmanship in motor sport, while also giving stewards effective guidelines to act against individuals who may bring the sport into disrepute. The FIA will always be committed to ensuring motor sport is accessible for all our sporting family.”
The ISC provides the stewards with the necessary regulatory tools to ensure they have all relevant information regarding the range of penalties that may be imposed and the procedures to be followed. This enables them to apply penalties in a consistent and transparent manner.
The review was carried out in collaboration with the FIA Drivers’ Committee and Ronan Morgan, its president, as well as the FIA Formula One steward chairs. Input was also received from FIA members clubs and other motor sport organizations across the seven FIA world championships.
The main changes to Appendix B are: The base maximum penalty has been reduced generally from €10,000 to €5,000. This is a reduction of 50 percent. However, for FIA world championships, where multipliers are involved, the reductions will be even more significant.
Stewards will have the option to fully suspend a penalty for certain types of breach, provided it is the first offense by the driver or team.
Following approval via e-vote by the WMSC (World Motor Sport Council), the amended Appendix B will allow stewards to differentiate between controlled and non-controlled environments, effectively recognizing the difference between language used in “uncontrolled” and “controlled” environments. Controlled environments include settings such as press conferences, while uncontrolled environments refer to spontaneous comments made by drivers or teams when on track or during a rally stage.
Mitigating circumstances will continue to be considered, with additional guidance available to promote consistency and fairness for all parties in the application of Appendix B.
Abuse of officials will now result in sporting penalties rather than fines, aligning motor sport with other major global sports organizations.
Racial and discriminatory comments will continue to be addressed firmly.
Stewards will retain the supreme authority to decide which penalty to impose in the event of a breach of the ISC.
Morgan said: “Drivers are looked up to as role models by young fans and are rightly seen as ambassadors for the wider world of motor sport. How they act really does matter, but it is important to recognize that there is a difference between what is said during a race and in a press conference.
“Today’s changes further strengthen the FIA’s International Sporting Code, supporting our drivers by understanding the pressures they face during the heat of competition.”