‘Incredible': Ben Sulayem says F1's future has never looked more exciting
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
With the current season delivering some of the best action seen in recent years, and with plenty more still to come, Ben Sulayem feels the arrival next year of a new team, a new venue and new regulations will reinforce the championship's global appeal.
'As we reach the mid-point of the 2025 calendar, we are already looking towards next season with a great deal of excitement and expectation,' the FIA president said in a press release. 'Our fans have plenty to look forward to, with Cadillac joining the grid as the 11th team, new FIA regulations to improve racing — bringing lighter, more agile cars and sustainable fuel — and the addition of Madrid as a new racing destination.
'The level of competition this year is incredible, with so much top-level talent on display,' he continued. 'And the impact of F1 is also supporting the FIA's goal to increase global participation in motorsport. Talented young drivers, whatever their background, have a real chance, and the next generation of stars is already coming through.'
Ben Sulayem also addressed the possibility of a first F1 driver from the Middle East.
'Although the Middle East has yet to produce a Formula 1 driver, that may change as more young prospects emerge from a region eager to make a bigger impact in F1 and global motorsport,' he said.
'F1's popularity has seen remarkable growth across the Arab world, particularly among young people and female fans. In Saudi Arabia, there is a strong focus on engaging youth at every level of the sport — a trend mirrored in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE,' he continued.
'This inclusive momentum is vital to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of motorsport throughout the region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
From Tuwaiq to Qasioun: building a bright future with hearts before hands
It has been nearly 15 years since my last trip to Damascus as chairman of the Saudi-Syrian Businessmen Council. Since then, bilateral business and investment activities have been suspended due to the geopolitical situation. Last week, it was a delight to witness the tremendous success of the first investment forum between the two countries, held under the new Syrian leadership and its government. Led by Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih on the Saudi side, more than 20 government agencies and more than 100 private sector companies from Saudi Arabia participated in the forum. These represented various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, agriculture, and communications and information technology. Approximately 47 agreements worth SR24 billion ($6.4 billion) were signed, covering a wide range of fields, including energy, real estate, finance, logistics, healthcare, and tourism. In his speech, Al-Falih emphasized that the forum reflects the belief that the private sector is a key partner in achieving shared investment goals between the two countries. He encouraged Saudi and international investors to explore opportunities in the Syrian Arab Republic and contribute to its strategic projects, thereby fostering mutual benefits across vital sectors. It is worth noting that the timing of the forum was ideal, especially following the lifting of global sanctions on Syria and the release of the revised investment law. The updated law aims to enhance the investment climate by offering investors more guarantees and incentives, streamlining procedures, and improving transparency. One of the signed agreements was between the Saudi Tadawul Group and the Damascus Securities Exchange, aiming to enhance cooperation in financial technologies, dual listings, data exchange, and the creation of investment funds to boost investment in Syria. Subject to regulatory approval, we at BMG plan to reopen our offices in Damascus, establish a country fund, take family businesses public, and offer advisory services for dual listings between the two exchanges. The new chairman of the Saudi-Syrian Businessmen Council, Mohammed Abu Nayan, who is also the chairman of ACWA Power, said during the forum that Syria and Saudi Arabia are one nation, and that 'we came to Damascus as long-term partners, not just traders. We, as the private sector, are committed to investing in Syria, and we have already begun.' With the direct blessing and endorsement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the path to Syria's economic prosperity has already been laid. Between the iconic Mount Tuwaiq in Riyadh and Mount Qasioun in Damascus, a bright future will be built — by hearts before hands. • Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Delayed Start At Belgian Grand Prix Highlights Formula 1's Challenge With Racing In The Rain
Of all the thousands of pieces of equipment that Formula 1 hauls around the world, few are used less often than the full wet tire. They stayed piled up in stacks, not on the cars, on Sunday as drivers sat out a rain delay of more than an hour to the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. It wasn't because F1 cars lack grip in heavy rain. Manufacturer Pirelli says the full wet tires can cope with that. The problem is that drivers behind can't see through the spray, and the first attempt to start Sunday's race on time illustrated the problem. Even crawling around at formation lap pace with only Lando Norris and the safety car ahead, eventual winner Oscar Piastri said he couldn't see a thing, adding, 'You can only imagine what it's like for the guys at the back.' When the race started, it was behind the safety car at low speed before the all-clear to go racing. Like all of the drivers, Piastri was using the intermediate tires, which are recommended for light rain or a drying track, when he eventually passed Norris for the win. 'The past few years, particularly here, we've given the (governing body) FIA feedback that we would much rather be on the safe side than risk anything,' Piastri said. 'If you were to be picky, maybe we could have done one less formation lap (behind the safety car), but in the grand scheme of things, if that's one lap too early, is it worth it? No.' Visibility is a particular concern at Spa, a fast track with a history of serious accidents. They include Anthoine Hubert's death in a Formula 2 crash in dry conditions in 2019, and another fatal accident claiming the life of Dutch teenage driver Dilano van t Hoff in a junior series in the rain in 2023. 'I have to say that on a track like this with what happened historically, I think you cannot forget about it. For that reason, I would rather be safe than (start) too early,' said Charles Leclerc, who finished third Sunday and who was friends with Hubert since childhood. Under the current F1 design regulations in place since 2022, cars have ground-effect aerodynamics which use the floor to generate grip but can also throw up more spray. If there's enough rain for the full wet tires to be faster than the intermediates, it's likely the race will be stopped because of poor visibility anyway. There was a reminder of the importance of visibility this month at the British Grand Prix when Isack Hadjar collided with Kimi Antonelli's car from behind while driving in the Italian's trail of spray. 'I didn't see him,' Hadjar said. 'He just appeared out of nowhere, man. Oh my God.'
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Expo memoir highlights Dubai's legacy of innovation
When Dubai hosted Expo 2020, it became the first country in the Middle East and North Africa region to hold the event, redefining the possibilities of a World Expo. Historically, these global gatherings, stretching back to 1851, have been dynamic showcases of experimental architecture, international collaboration and technological advancement. Yet, for almost two centuries, women were largely absent from their production and focus. Dubai notably changed this narrative, largely due to the formidable leadership detailed in 'When Ground Shifts,' the insightful new book by Reem Al-Hashimy, the UAE minister of state for international cooperation and the visionary behind Expo 2020. As Expo 2025 Osaka passes its halfway point, it continues to build on this rich history, while the anticipation for Expo 2030 Riyadh further underscores the region's commitment to this global platform for innovation and collaboration. Al-Hashimy's book is far from a mere chronicle of milestones; it is a candid, first-hand account of the immense personal and international challenges she navigated — from being appointed a minister at 29 to delivering Dubai's final presentation in Paris while heavily pregnant and repeating her mantra of 'hope is not a method.' The anecdotes reveal the tireless effort required to deliver a World Expo. Her book illuminates the relentless dedication that transformed a patch of untouched desert into a showplace for more than 190 countries and 24 million visitors. Expo 2020 visitors were captivated by the falcon-like UAE Pavilion; the majestic 'energy trees' surrounding Terra — The Sustainability Pavilion; and the immense Al-Wasl Plaza, the planet's largest 360-degree projection surface. Significantly, they were moved by the Women's Pavilion, inspired in part by a vintage Cartier bracelet. Her expo understood style as much as it did substance. Having had the privilege of witnessing Expo 2020 as a writer, a speaker for the US pavilion and as a member of the fair's Visitor Experience department, what I saw, and what Al-Hashimy's book powerfully conveys, is that a grand undertaking thrives from the top down. The meticulous attention to detail, the open-minded willingness to seek expertise from every corner of the globe, the pervasive feeling that everyone involved could contribute something, and the daring that was not just tolerated but actively sought all flowed from Al-Hashimy and the cast of several thousand characters she assembled like a Marvel superhero team. Her profound understanding of what she calls 'barakah' — the ability to find those who can ease your burdens and solve your problems — is a core theme in 'When Ground Shifts,' and it was palpable on the ground. Expo 2020 came within a hair's breadth of its goal of 25 million visitors, despite a year-long delay due to the lockdowns. Charles Pappas 'Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy,' Tchaikovsky said. The Expo 2020 site went from zero to a fully realized 4 sq. km city with mind-bending speed. Each problem was a domino falling to her steady, relentless effort. Perhaps no obstacle was greater than the COVID-19 pandemic. While the 1873 Vienna World's Fair saw a cholera epidemic slash its expected turnout, Expo 2020 came within a hair's breadth of meeting its goal of attracting 25 million visitors, despite a year-long delay due to the lockdowns. Drawing the largest number of countries ever for a World Expo, the event was cosmopolitan yet grounded in the Middle East. Indigenous ghaf and palm trees provided shade, while dozens of calligraphy benches, which resembled abstract art but spelled out words in Arabic like 'vision,' 'dignity,' 'hope' and 'dream,' offered respite from the 20,000 or so steps visitors would easily rack up in a day. These details, far from mere decorative elements, were integral to the event's cultural tapestry. 'When Ground Shifts' could easily have been a dull humblebrag. Instead, it is alive with grace and pride. The self-described 'little on the nerdy side' student who found deep meaning in the Lincoln Memorial and the American experiment built an expo where, for the first time, every country had its own pavilion. She also built Expo Live, which channeled $100 million to pioneering social projects that embodied the expo themes of mobility, opportunity and sustainability. This commitment to equitable participation and impactful legacy is a cornerstone of the book's message. Until 1970, most world expos were held in cities such as London, Paris, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York. But with Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan, world's fairs began trending toward non-Western locations, realizing their singular soft power. Expo 2020 propelled the UAE onto a world stage and into the top 10 countries in the Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2023. It was a nation's coming of age on the global stage. All of that is an astonishing heritage. As the spotlight shifts to Expo 2025 Osaka and continues with significant anticipation for Expo 2030 Riyadh, that spirit of global collaboration and innovation remains a powerful guiding force. Riyadh's bid, centered on 'The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,' aims to further advance global dialogue. The lessons learned from Dubai's inclusive approach and Osaka's technological ambitions will undoubtedly inform Riyadh's preparations, ensuring Expo 2030 continues the legacy of creating a platform for collective progress and a sustainable future. While every expo charts its own course, the high bar of success and the compelling story of leadership captured in 'When Ground Shifts' offer a rich context for understanding the immense undertaking that Osaka is now embracing and what Riyadh will soon embark upon. The world waits to see what new legacies they will inspire.
