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Amid fierce competition witnessed at Qatar Racing Club (QRC) drag strip, the second round of the Qatar Drag Race Championship (QDRC) concluded with great success.The event is being held under the patronage of QRC Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani. As usual, the round saw wide participation from motorsport champions from Qatar, the Gulf, and the region. By the end of the competition, four racers managed to secure their second consecutive titles after winning the opening round, while the podium welcomed new champions in the other four categories.In the Index 10.00 category, racer Ahmed Hassan achieved his second title in the championship by defeating Ahmed al-Emadi, who had finished third in the previous round and took second place this time, leaving third place to Ali al-Johani.Meanwhile, in the Index 8.50 category, Mustafa Atat retained his title after overcoming Adel Ghanem in the final race—Ghanem recorded his first podium finish in the championship, just like Mohammed Zaman, who finished third.In the Super Street category, Rashid al-Baloushi secured his second consecutive victory in the final races after surpassing Bader al-Sharshani, who settled for second place, while Milos Pavlovic earned his first podium finish by placing third.The fourth category to have its defending champion retain the title was the bike competitions, where Abdullah al-Ansari claimed the top podium spot after defeating Abdulwahab Bu Qamaz in the final of the Index 8.50 category, while Hassan al-Mezdi repeated his previous round’s result by finishing third.Four of the championship categories crowned new champions, different from those who won in the opening round a week earlier. The winner of this round was al-Ansari, being the only competitor to secure two titles. After winning the INDEX 8.50 (motorcycles) category, he went on to claim the Street Bike title—having finished second in that category in the previous round. In the final race, Al-Ansari faced Mohammed al-Salem, who finished second, while Abdulwahab Bu Qamaz took third.Majed al-Sharshani also recorded his first title in the championship by winning the Index 9.00 (cars) category, defeating Mohammed Khawari in the final — Khawari’s second consecutive appearance in a final, finishing second again. Third place went to Mohammed Zaman. The cars’ index categories contested over the 1/8 mile also saw new champions. After losing the final of the INDEX 4.80 category in the previous round, Saeed al-Baloushi returned strongly, reaching the final once again and this time winning against Mohammed al-Furaih, who finished second, while their colleague Ahmed Afseesi completed the podium in third place.The final category to crown a new champion this round was Index 4.50, where Ibrahim Abbas Ibrahim and Jaber al-Maghribi reached the final. Ibrahim claimed the win, while al-Maghribi settled for second place, and third place went to Basil Abbas, who had also finished third in the previous round. The third round will begin Wednesday with qualifying sessions. Source link
Premier Padel, the world’s leading official professional padel tour, welcomed an exceptional line-up of Formula 1 stars and global athlete padel enthusiasts for a full week of open-door padel matches at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail, ahead of the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. With padel rapidly becoming the favourite off-track sport of the Formula 1 paddock, this year’s event brought unprecedented participation from F1 drivers, including George Russell, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly. They were joined by Qatar Airways ambassador Novak Djokovic, NBA icon Carmelo Anthony, Italian World Cup–winning footballer Marco Materazzi, former tennis great Fernando Verdasco, former footballer Adlene Guedioura, American soccer player Jozy Altidore, and leading padel talents Dora Chamli, Mashari Nawaf and Rashed Nawaf – all showcasing their enthusiasm for the world’s fastest-growing sport. The event was hosted by Premier Padel and PSG president Nasser al-Khelaïfi in partnership with Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer attended the Sunday tournament, while Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown attended throughout the week to support the drivers and celebrate padel’s growing presence in the F1 community.The extraordinary activation highlights how padel has become a shared passion among F1 drivers and top athletes worldwide – a sport that blends competition, camaraderie and accessibility. Premier Padel continues to drive this global momentum, elevating the sport through world-class events and pioneering experiences such as the Premier Padel x Qatar Airways courts in Lusail. Source link
Saudi Arabia and Oman kick off their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 campaigns with a Group B opener on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.The group also includes Morocco and Comoros, making it one of the most competitive groups in the tournament. Both Saudi Arabia and Oman will be targeting a strong start to boost their qualification chances.Saudi Arabia enter the match with high confidence after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Green Falcons are also two-time Arab Cup champions, having lifted the title in 1998 and 2002.Head coach Herve Renard has named a strong squad led by Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari, alongside Saleh Abu Shamat and goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi. The lineup is further strengthened by defender Hassan Tambakti and midfielders Mohamed Kanno and Abdulrahman Al Ayoud.Oman, coached by Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz, aim to continue their recent upward trajectory with a balanced squad blending youthful energy and seasoned experience. Key players include Ahmed Al Khamisi, Harib Al Saadi and Mahmoud Al Mashifri.Matches between Saudi Arabia and Oman are traditionally intense and closely contested due to their long-standing regional rivalry. Tuesday’s encounter is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round as both teams chase an early advantage in the race for qualification. Related Story Source link
The FEI Group VII Finals concluded at Al Shaqab’s Longines Outdoor Arena on Saturday, marking the end of a historic first edition hosted in Qatar.The final day showcased exceptional performances across all categories, underscoring the depth of young talent in the region and further establishing Qatar as a leading hub for youth equestrian development. Over three days, the championship brought together the top-ranked Children, Junior, and Young Riders from Group VII nations, representing a major milestone for equestrian sport in the Middle East and North Africa. Awards were presented by Mohammed Jaber al-Khayarin, Director of Equine Education at Al Shaqab; Dr. Ismael Shaker, President of the Egyptian Equestrian Federation; H.E. Sultan Mohammed Khalifa al-Yahyai, President of FEI Regional Group VII; and Bader al-Darwish, President of Qatar Equestrian Federation.Additionally, Bader al-Darwish presented an honorary award to H.E. Sultan Mohammed Khalifa al-Yahyai in recognition of his contributions to Group VIIThe day opened with an impressive performance in the 1.25m Youth category, where Abdalla Hamad Ali al-Kirbi of the UAE secured first place following an excellent round. Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai finished second, while Ali Mufrrej Ali Mohamed Alkarbi of the UAE completed the podium in third place, setting a strong tone for the day.The Children’s Final (CSICH-A 1.15m) followed with another exciting display of young talent. The UAE’s Khaled Ahmad Khalifa al-Ayali al-Mheiri claimed first place, Qatar’s Abdulaziz bin Jassim al-Thani secured second, and Saudi Arabia’s Saud Alhadi took third. Additional strong results came from Abdullah Ghazzawi of Saudi Arabia in fourth, Qatar’s Mohammed Hamza al-Kuwari in fifth, and Kuwait’s Fay Alkaaoud in sixth.In the Juniors Final (CSIJ-A 1.25m), Qatar’s Mohammed bin Jassim al-Thani delivered a standout winning performance, with Egypt’s Yassin Ramy Abd al-Ghafour finishing second and Mohammad Saeed al-Ghurair of the UAE taking third. The remaining top positions were claimed by Mabkhout Owaida Alkirbi in fourth, Alya Adnan Awadh Almheiri in fifth, and Egypt’s Omar Mohammed Ahmed in sixth.The day concluded with the Young Riders Final, where Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi of the UAE secured his second victory of the day with a commanding performance. Qatar’s Saad Ahmed al-Saad finished second, followed by Egypt’s Ismail Osama El Borai in third. Completing the top six were Egypt’s Seif Yasser Fekry in fourth place, Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Fahad Aleid in fifth, and Saif Owaida Mohammed Alkirbi of the UAE in sixth.Reflecting on the successful conclusion of Qatar’s first hosting of the Finals, Khalid al-Hitmi, Event President at Al Shaqab, stated: “This edition marks a defining chapter for Al Shaqab and for Group VII. Hosting the Finals in Qatar for the first time has allowed us to set a new benchmark for youth equestrian competition in the region. The performances over the past three days reflect a promising future for our young athletes, and we remain committed to supporting their journey toward the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and beyond.”The conclusion of the 2025 Finals represents a significant moment for Al Shaqab, Qatar Foundation, and the wider Group VII community. Bringing together riders from fourteen nations, the championship showcased a shared commitment to developing youth talent and strengthening equestrian sport across the region. As the champions of 2025 are celebrated, Al Shaqab extends its appreciation to all riders, federations, teams, and supporters whose dedication contributed to the success of this landmark edition. Source link
The Syrian and Tunisian national teams will launch Group A action of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 on Monday when they meet at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, ahead of the tournament’s official opening clash between hosts Qatar and Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium. The Tunisian team, led by coach Sami Trabelsi, is enjoying an ideal period after qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time, which will take place next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Tunisia will compete in the Arab Cup with a different lineup from the one that played in their recent friendly against Brazil, which ended in a 1-1 draw, due to the overlap between the Arab Cup and the final preparation stage for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will run from Dec.21, 2025, to Jan. 18, 2026, in Morocco. Meanwhile, the Syrian team aims to continue its positive results after defeating South Sudan in the qualifiers a few days ago with a 2-0 victory. Syrian’s Spanish manager José Lana will work to prepare suitable alternatives, having opted for a squad of young players. In terms of head-to-head encounters between Tunisia and Syria, the two teams have faced each other 11 times. Tunisia has won five of those matches, Syria has also won five, and they have drawn once. In the context of the Arab Cup, Tunisia and Syria have met twice. In the first encounter, Tunisia won 1-0 in the inaugural edition of the tournament held in Lebanon in 1963. Syria avenged that result in the last edition in 2021 at Al Bayt Stadium, winning 2-0. Tunisia’s largest victory over Syria came in the 1973 Palestine Cup final in Libya, when they won 4-0. Source link
Palestine coach Ehab Abu Jazar affirmed his side’s readiness to face Qatar in the opening match of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 on Monday at Al Bayt Stadium, as part of Group A, which also includes Tunisia and Syria. Speaking on Sunday, Abu Jazar stressed the importance of the Arab Cup, particularly given Qatar’s exceptional organization and world-class stadiums. He said the Palestinian team enters tomorrow’s match with high ambitions and a desire to advance deep into the tournament, after qualifying from the preliminary round by defeating Libya on penalties following a goalless draw. He expressed confidence in his players’ ability to deliver a strong performance in the opening match, noting that the team is in high spirits and aiming for victory despite the challenge of facing the hosts, Qatar. The coach added that the match holds special significance as the tournament’s opener, and because the opponent is the host nation – two-time AFC Asian Cup champions and qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which requires exerting maximum effort. Abu Jazar acknowledged that the team faces some absences due to players’ club commitments. Still, he emphasized that the available squad is determined to perform at its best, especially after getting into tournament rhythm through the preliminary-round match against Libya. He noted that the presence of several Palestinian players in the Qatari league will have a positive impact on the team’s performance in the Arab Cup. For his part, Palestine midfielder Ameid Mahajneh stressed the major significance of participating in the Arab Cup, expressing hope that the team will deliver strong performances in all three group-stage matches, with the primary focus now on tomorrow’s opener against Qatar. He added that all players are fully prepared for the tournament kick-off, pointing out that achieving a positive result in the first match would provide a crucial morale boost for the rest of their campaign. Source link
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen kept his championship hopes alive under the Lusail floodlights, winning a chaotic and tactically fraught Qatar Grand Prix after McLaren’s bold, and ultimately disastrous, decision not to pit under an early Safety Car left both their drivers exposed.Pole-sitter Oscar Piastri salvaged second place and 18 points, while championship leader Lando Norris fought back to finish fourth in a damage-limitation drive. The dramatic result ensures the title battle will go down to the wire in Abu Dhabi next weekend. Carlos Sainz delivered a superb performance to take third, earning Williams their second podium of the season.As things stand, Norris heads into the final round with a 12-point lead over four-time consecutive champion Verstappen, with Piastri 16 points back in third. A third-place finish in Abu Dhabi would secure Norris his maiden title, but with Verstappen having won five of the last eight Grands Prix, and with McLaren under scrutiny for repeated strategic missteps, the season finale is poised for a dramatic twist.The key moment unfolded at the end of lap 7, when Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly made light contact, sending the Sauber spinning and triggering a Safety Car. Verstappen immediately dived into the pits, as did nearly the entire field, except for both McLarens and Haas’ Esteban Ocon.The urgency to pit was heightened by an enforced 25-lap maximum stint length on all Pirelli tyre sets on a highly-demanding Lusail track, effectively guaranteeing at least two pit stops in the 57-lap race. Red Bull, aware of McLaren’s strong pace all weekend, gambled early, and it paid off handsomely, with Verstappen securing his seventh win of the season, the same as his McLaren rivals.”This was an incredible race for us. We made the right call as a team to box under that Safety Car. That was smart,” said Verstappen, who claimed his third consecutive victory in Qatar. “I’m super happy to win here. We stay in the fight until the end. Incredible! It was a very strong race on a weekend that was a bit tough but we won the race and that was important.”Saturday’s Sprint winner Piastri, who saw a near-certain victory slip away due to McLaren’s strategy, was frustrated. “Speechless…” he said over team radio after the chequered flag. “I don’t have any words.”Speaking moments later, a forlorn-looking Piastri criticised his team. “Clearly we didn’t get it right tonight. I drove the best race that I could and as fast as I could. There was nothing left out there. I tried my best but it wasn’t to be tonight unfortunately,” the Australian said.”I think in hindsight it’s pretty obvious what we would have done, but I’m sure we’ll discuss it as a team. It’s not all bad. It’s been a really good weekend and the pace has been very strong. Obviously it’s a little bit tough to swallow at the moment,” the 24-year-old added.Immediately after the race, McLaren faced accusations that the controversial call was influenced by a desire to avoid favouring either Norris or Piastri in the tight title fight. Norris rejected that claim outright, despite the decision leaving both cars vulnerable. Had both drivers pitted, Norris would have queued behind Piastri and risked losing track position, while stopping only one car would inevitably raise questions about favoritism.“No, nothing to do with that. Everyone keeps thinking that but it’s nothing to do with that,” Norris insisted. “It’s tough. We just had to have faith in the team making the right decision. It’s always a gamble. We were the ones who took a gamble in a way. Now it’s the wrong decision. We shouldn’t have done it. We’ve won the constructors’ six races ago because of that. Not our finest day but that’s life,” he added.Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli helped Mercedes inch closer to securing second place in the Constructors’ Championship with a strong run to fifth. Norris was hunting down the Italian on the final lap when Antonelli ran wide, allowing the Briton to pounce and seize fourth, a potentially crucial gain of two extra points heading into Abu Dhabi.Behind Antonelli, Isack Hadjar looked set for sixth before suffering a left-front puncture three laps from the end, promoting George Russell after the Mercedes driver had lost three positions on lap one.Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda completed the top ten. Alex Albon (Williams) finished 11th ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), and Franco Colapinto (Alpine). Ocon was classified 15th after receiving a five-second penalty for a false start, ahead of Gasly, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and the unlucky Hadjar.Ollie Bearman retired after serving a 10-second stop-go penalty for running an unsafe car, while Hulkenberg’s race ended in the gravel following his collision with Gasly. Related Story Source link
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sunday crowned Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing driver as the winner of the Qatar Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix 2025. Held at Lusail International Circuit, the Qatar Grand Prix served as round 23 and the penultimate race of the Formula 1 World Championship season. Joining Sheikh Joaan in the podium ceremony were, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Badr Mohammed al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways, Abdulrahman al-Mannai, President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, and Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi, CEO of Lusail International Circuit. The Dutch driver clinched first place after completing the 57-lap race in a time of 1:24:38.241 hours, finishing ahead of Australia’s Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who took second place, while Spain’s Carlos Sainz of Williams secured the third place. Related Story Source link
Qatari driver Abdullah Al Khalifi secured third place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, held on the sidelines of the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix Formula 1 – the 23rd and penultimate round of the FIA World Championship. Al Khalifi finished third with a time of 21:50.508, while Australia’s Caleb Sumich claimed victory with a time of 21:44.486, edging Japan’s Tai Shi by 1.276 seconds for second place. Sumich finished 6.022 seconds ahead of Al Khalifi, 8.724 seconds ahead of Saudi driver Khalid Al Ahmadi in fourth, and 11.542 seconds ahead of fellow Saudi competitor Saud Al-Saud in fifth. Earlier, Al Khalifi had also secured third place in the qualifying session with a lap time of 1:57.814, following fifth-place finishes in both free practice sessions on the opening day of the event. Al Khalifi expressed his satisfaction with the results he achieved throughout this year’s edition of the Porsche Cup, held in conjunction with the Formula 1 World Championship. He noted that his performance this season surpassed that of last year. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Khalifi explained that this season has been particularly significant for him, as he transitioned from the amateur category to the more competitive professional class. Despite the increased difficulty-and despite not having competed in Porsche races for some time-he succeeded in delivering strong results and showed clear improvement. He praised the role of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), led by Abdulrahman Abdul Latif Al-Mannai, for granting him the opportunity to participate in such a major series held alongside a global championship of Formula 1’s stature. He affirmed that the federation’s support has been instrumental in his continuous development from one championship to the next.Al Khalifi added that the QMMF remains committed to supporting Qatari drivers, noting that he looks forward to his next participation, alongside a new generation of young and emerging talents in upcoming competitions. Source link
Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday to set up a final race title showdown with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Red Bull driver kept the wheels on his quest for a fifth successive crown after pole-sitter Piastri finished second and standings leader Norris came only fourth.Verstappen’s remarkable late season surge has lifted him past Piastri and into second in the championship. The Dutchman now goes into the season-closer next weekend only 12 points behind Norris with Piastri 16 points behind his teammate. Verstappen has fond memories of the last time the title went down to the wire when he beat Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi in 2021. Source link