Farah Al Yousef to race as Wild Card entry in F1 Academy at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
JEDDAH — In a major boost for Saudi motorsport and female representation in racing, Farah Al Yousef will compete as a Wild Card entry in Round 2 of the 2025 F1 ACADEMY series, taking place alongside the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX from April 18–20 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The announcement was made by the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), promoter of the Grand Prix, marking another historic moment in the Kingdom's rapidly growing motorsport scene. Al Yousef becomes the second Saudi woman to compete in the F1 ACADEMY on home soil, following Reema Juffali's appearance at the same event in 2024.
AlYousef, 22, is one of Saudi Arabia's rising motorsport stars. She won the Saudi Women's Karting Championship in 2022, achieved a commendable 26th place at the Karting World Finals, and will represent the Kingdom at the FW Nations Cup Finals in Dubai this May.
'Racing as a Wild Card entry in the F1 ACADEMY on home soil here in Jeddah is truly a dream come true,' said Al Yousef.
'Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and to line up alongside some of the most talented young drivers in the world is an incredibly proud moment. I hope my participation inspires young girls across Saudi Arabia to believe in themselves and chase their dreams.'
The F1 ACADEMY, launched in 2023, is a development series for female drivers aged 16–25, providing a dedicated platform for progression in international motorsport. The 2025 calendar features seven rounds, each running as support events to Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends across Asia, Europe, and North America.
This year's championship began in Shanghai, with Jeddah set to host Round 2, before the series continues to Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Las Vegas in November.
The upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marks the fifth edition of the race in Jeddah, with previous years delivering high-octane action at the world's fastest street circuit on the Red Sea coast. — SG
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain to stay in World Cup qualification hunt
Saudi Gazette report RIFFA — Saudi Arabia kept their hopes of automatic qualification alive with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 on Thursday. The result lifted Herve Renard's side to 13 points, setting up a decisive showdown with group leaders Australia next Tuesday. The Saudis must win that match by at least four goals to overtake the Socceroos on goal difference and secure second place. The Green Falcons asserted themselves early at Bahrain National Stadium. A long-range pass from Hassan Al Tambakti found Ali Majrashi in space, but the fullback's second touch allowed Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla to close down quickly. Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 16th minute. Captain Salem Al Dawsari delivered a pinpoint first-time cross to the far post, where Musab Al Juwayr — recently named Saudi Pro League Young Player of the Season — calmly sidefooted the ball home. Bahrain responded with long-range efforts from Komail Al Aswad and Mohamed Marhoon, but neither troubled Saudi keeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. Al Dawsari had a chance to double the lead in the 40th minute after a clever through-ball from Aiman Yahya, but his chipped finish drifted just over the bar. After the break, Saudi Arabia pressed for a second. Feras Albrikan had the ball in the net just before the hour mark, but the goal was disallowed for offside in the buildup. Bahrain nearly equalized in the 68th minute, but Marhoon's strike off a low cross from Ebrahim Alkhatal struck the post. Five minutes later, Al Aqidi produced a double save to deny Vincent Emmanuel and Mahdi Abduljabbar in quick succession. With Bahrain pushing forward in search of a goal, Saudi Arabia capitalized. In the closing minutes, Majrashi played a through ball to substitute Abduralrahman Alobud, who finished clinically to seal the 2-0 win. Saudi Arabia now face a high-stakes final group match against Australia, where only a convincing +5 goals win will send them directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Alesayi Motors inaugurates new Mitsubishi showroom in Dammam as part of expansion strategy
As part of its strategic expansion plans and in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, Alesayi Motors, the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors and FUSO in Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated its new state-of-the-art and fully integrated showroom in Dammam. This facility aims to deliver an exceptional customer experience, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. The opening aligns with Mitsubishi's global corporate identity, showcasing a sleek and interactive retail concept. The new showroom includes a dedicated space for Mitsubishi vehicles, designed to offer a comprehensive and immersive customer journey. Additionally, it features a standalone showroom for FUSO trucks, a key player in the Kingdom's commercial transport and retail logistics sectors. The FUSO space has been engineered to address local market demands through a wide range of smart, durable solutions tailored to the Saudi operating environment. The launch event was attended by senior executives, including the CEO and Managing Director of Alesayi Motors, who described the opening as 'a cornerstone of the company's long-term development and expansion roadmap.' He also highlighted the new facility's potential to redefine customer experience while embodying Mitsubishi's global vision of advanced, reliable mobility solutions tailored to local needs. The Dammam showroom is equipped with a cutting-edge maintenance center featuring the latest diagnostic and service technologies. It also includes a spacious spare parts warehouse, ensuring timely support and operational efficiency. In line with Alesayi's commitment to social responsibility, the new branch will also act as a community hub, hosting industry-related events, training programs, and workshops aimed at developing Saudi talent and supporting the national automotive ecosystem. This investment is a strong reaffirmation of Alesayi Motors' dedication to the goals of Vision 2030 and its role in boosting economic growth across the Eastern Province and the Kingdom at large.
Leaders
7 days ago
- Leaders
Benzema's Brilliance Secures Al-Ittihad's Historic King's Cup Victory
Karim Benzema scored a remarkable brace, leading Al-Ittihad to a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadsiah in the King's Cup final on Friday. His goals came in the 34th and 90+4th minutes, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination on the field, while Houssem Aouar contributed significantly by adding another goal in the 43rd minute. Al-Qadsiah managed to score only once, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converting a penalty in the 45+6th minute. This defeat marked a disappointing moment for Aubameyang, who sought his first trophy since joining Saudi Arabia last July. The loss proved challenging for several Al-Qadsiah players, as the club has yet to win the King's Cup in its 58-year history. Their task became even more difficult when Ezequiel Fernandez received a red card late in the match, leaving the team short-handed. Celebrating a Historic Victory This victory marks Al-Ittihad's tenth King's Cup title, following their recent triumph in the Saudi Pro League. The team finished the season eight points clear of their nearest rivals, Al-Hilal, solidifying their dominance in Saudi football. Karim Benzema continues to impress in the Middle East after joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid in 2023. He now boasts an impressive tally of 38 goals in 62 appearances for the club, including 21 goals in the league this season. Benzema finished third in the scoring charts, trailing behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney. Ronaldo secured his second consecutive golden boot with 25 goals for Al Nassr, while Benzema claimed the league's Player of the Season award for the first time. Accolades for Al-Ittihad Benzema's outstanding performances earned him the best player award, while coach Laurent Blanc received the best manager accolade. This recognition highlights the successful season for Al-Ittihad and their impressive achievements. The victory in the King's Cup final serves as a fitting end to a remarkable campaign for Al-Ittihad. Benzema's goalscoring prowess played a crucial role in their triumph, and the team looks forward to building on this success in the future. Short link : Post Views: 7
