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Tag: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

  • F1: McLaren duo lead the charge in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

    F1: McLaren duo lead the charge in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

    Oscar Piastri and McLaren, will look to build momentum at the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which will be held at the Jeddah Corniche
    Circuit on the evening of Sunday 20 April.

    Piastri became this season’s first two-race winner, as he took the chequered flag at the Bahrain Grand Prix this past weekend after starting from pole position – adding to his triumph at the
    Chinese Grand Prix.

    As a result, the Australian is now just three points adrift of teammate and Drivers’ Championship standings leader Lando Norris in a McLaren one-two at the top of the log. Max Verstappen, who
    could only manage sixth place in Bahrain, is a further five points back in third place.

    “It’s been an incredible weekend, the car is pretty handy out there – very proud of what I’ve done,” said Piastri after the race. “Bahrain is an important race for us given our owners and it’s never
    been kind for us…
    “You try and get a good restart, I was never going to let that one go. There’ll be a hell of a party, I won’t get involved as I have to race again next week!”

    File photo dated 27-02-2025 of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. Issue date: Wednesday March 12, 2025.

    Norris, meanwhile, managed third place in Bahrain despite a penalty for a false start: “I didn’t think I was that far forward [on the starting grid] I guess, tough race made too many mistakes, a messy
    race for me.

    “Disappointed not to bring home a one-two for McLaren. A tough one but a few positives. It was close, good racing throughout, good fun! On the limit, as it should be […]. Congrats to Oscar and
    the whole McLaren team – and I’ll try and step it up for next weekend.”

    The Saudi Arabian GP was first held in 2021, becoming the fifth full-night race title on the F1 calendar after the Singapore, Bahrain, Sakhir and Qatar Grands Prix. The race has been won by
    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes (2021), as well as Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen (2022 & 2024) and Sergio Perez (2023).

    DStv is your ultimate destination for motorsport fans, while DStv Stream allows viewers to watch their favourite sport live anywhere, any time. Upgrade to DStv Premium to enjoy the fastest sport in
    the world.

    The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the third-longest track on the F1 calendar behind Spa Francorchamps and the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, and is renowned as the fastest street-style track in
    the sport. The lap record is 1:30.734, set by Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes in 2021.

  • ‘Not at 50’ – Alonso sets retirement limit

    ‘Not at 50’ – Alonso sets retirement limit

    Spain’s Formula One ‘golden oldie’ Fernando Alonso set a date on his retirement on Thursday, saying he won’t be behind the wheel “at 50”.

    The 43-year-old leads Aston Martin into their 100th F1 race on Sunday at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with the verve and enthusiasm of a driver half his years.

    The veteran, older than the age of rookies Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman combined, has an open-ended contract at the ambitious team bankrolled by Lawrence Stroll, father of Alonso’s teammate Lance.

    And while recent results may not have been much to right home about, Aston’s project proved appealing enough to lure design guru Adrian Newey over from Red Bull.

    Given their recent lack of form – Alonso’s last podium dates back to 2023 – Aston could do with Newey imbuing some of his magic onto this season’s car.

    But the man whose car design helped Red Bull to 13 titles – six drivers and seven constructors – is purely focusing on 2026 and the next big change in F1’s technical landscape.

    “He’s working only on ’26, and I totally support that,” said Alonso.

    “I want to drive an Adrian-designed car,” he added, when asked how long his familiar grizzled features would be part of the grid.

    “Not at fifty for sure.

    “After 2026, I don’t know – I will go season by season, see how motivated I am.

    “Right now, I am very motivated. Let’s do it until the 2026 and then we’ll sit and talk, and check what is the best for the team.”

    Alonso, preparing for his 51st race with the team he joined in 2023 from Alpine, reflected on “an incredible journey so far”.

    Despite yet to score a point this term he said: “We are a much better team, a much more prepared team to fight for world championships than we were two years ago.

    “Then we had a very small factory, we were using Mercedes’ wind tunnel, and maybe we didn’t have the right people and partners together in the project.

    “So, yeah, the results on track on Sunday are not the same as they were before.

    “But I feel very relaxed, very motivated.

    “And this is just a transition time.”