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Author: INDIAinF1 Desk
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Antonelli tops Sprint qualifying to become youngest pole sitter: F1
Miami (USA), 3 May 2025: Kimi Antonelli took a sensational top spot in Sprint Qualifying for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, to become the youngest driver to take pole position in any race format in the history of F1. The 18-year-old Mercedes driver posted a time of 1:26.482 to beat McLarenโs championship leader Oscar Piastri by 0.045s. Lando Norris, in the other McLaren, will start the Sprint from P3 ahead of Red Bullโs Max Verstappen.ย
In the first runs of SQ1, it was Kimi Antonelli who led the way, with the Mercedes driver posting a lap of 1:27.858 to sit 0.008s ahead of McLarenโs Lando Norris, with Red Bullโs Max Verstappen third on 1:27.953. Championship leader Oscar Piastri lay in fourth place almost three tenths off Antonelli with team-mate George Russell in P5. Elsewhere, Racing Bullsโ Isack Hadjar has his opening flying lap deleted however and without a time ahead of the final runs, the Frenchman needed a strong final lap.
The Racing Bulls driver made no mistakes, and his final flyer lifted him to 12th at the end of the session and into SQ2. There was no place in the middle segment for Red Bull Racingโs Yuki Tsunoda, however.
The Japanese driver failed to make it across the line to start his final flyer before the chequered flag was shown and he dropped out of Sprint Qualifying in P18. Also ruled out at the end of SQ1 were 15th-placed Aston Martinโs Lance Stroll and Alpineโs Jack Doohan in P16, while Sauberโs Gabriel Bortoleto exited in P19 ahead of Haasโ Oliver Bearman who also failed to get across the line before the chequered flag.
At the top of the order, Russell took top spot with his final flyer of 1:27.688 ahead of Antonelli with Williamsโ Alex Albon third ahead of Norris, Carlos Sainz and Piastri.
Verstappen set the initial pace in SQ2, with the Dutchman posting a time of 1:27.729. Antonelli then went two thousandths of second quicker to steal P1 before Norris moved almost two tenths clear and then Piastri went even quicker with a lap of 1:27.354.
It was Norris who made the most of the final runs of SQ2, however, and the Briton took top spot with a lap of 1:27.109, 0.136s ahead of Verstappen with Piastri in third 0.245s off his McLaren team-mate. Antonelli continued his good work with fourth place ahead of the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Russell went through in seventh ahead of Albon, Aston Martinโs Fernando Alonso and Hadjar.
Ruled out at the end of SQ2 were Kick Sauberโs Nico Hรผlkenberg in P11, Haasโ Esteban Ocon, Alpineโs Pierre Gasly, who slapped the wall midway through his lap, Racing Bullsโ Liam Lawson and Sainz, who had a massive lock up into Turn 11 and was forced to abandon his final flyer.
At the start of SQ3, Verstappen was first out on track and the Red Bull driver stopped the clock at 1:27.070. Russell was right behind the Dutchman on track, however, and he breezed past the Red Bull manโs time to reset the bar at 1:26.791 first flyer.
But while Russell headed back to the pit lane, Verstappen who had made a mistake on his lap, stayed out for a surprise second attempt. The 2024 Miami winner managed to improve, and he took provisional pole six hundredths of a second ahead of the Mercedes driver.
It was the other Mercedes driver who was going quickest, however. Norris first demoted Verstappen but behind him Antonelli was finding small margins of time and when he crossed the line, he took pole with a superb lap of 1:26.482. Piastri got close but in the end the Italian teenagerโs time was good enough to hold on to a historic first pole position.
Behind the top four, Russell took fifth ahead of Leclerc, Hamilton, Albon, Hadjar and Alonso.
2025 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix โ Sprint Qualifying
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1’26.482 – –
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1’26.527 0.045 0.052
3 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1’26.582 0.100 0.116
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’26.737 0.255 0.295
5 George Russell Mercedes 1’26.791 0.309 0.357
6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1’26.808 0.326 0.377
7 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1’27.030 0.548 0.634
8 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1’27.193 0.711 0.822
9 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1’27.543 1.061 1.227
10 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’27.790 1.308 1.512
11 Nico Hรผlkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1’27.850 1.368 1.582
12 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1’28.070 1.588 1.836
13 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1’28.167 1.685 1.948
14 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1’28.375 1.893 2.189
15 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes – – –
16 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’29.028 2.546 2.944
17 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 1’29.171 2.689 3.109
18 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’29.246 2.764 3.196
19 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1’29.312 2.830 3.272
20 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1’29.825 3.343 3.866 -
Slideways Industries Gears Up for South India Rally; Reigning champ Shroff to miss Ro1
By Aniruddha Rangnekar
Pune, 21 April 2025: With over a decade of relentless passion and performance, Team Slideways Industries returns to the Blueband Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for the 2025 season, ready to take on the dust, speed, and competition. Based in Pune and proudly backed by the Pinnacle Group, Slideways Industries has grown into a household name in Indian motorsport, known for its consistency, innovation, and champion pedigree.
The team will be fielding two cars for the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48th South India Rally, the opening round of the Blueband 2025 INRC season, set to take place in Chennai. Despite the absence of key drivers Daraius Shroff, Aniruddha Rangnekar, and Shivani Parmarโall sitting out this round due to personal commitmentsโSlideways is raring to go with a dynamic new lineup.
A Global Touch and a Youthful Spark
Adding an international flair to the rally is the Singapore-based husband-wife duo, Raguvaran V and Amanda Chew Jia Ying. The pair brings global experience and enthusiasm to the INRC, making them the only international entry in this edition of the rally.
Alongside them, promising young talent Tarushi Vikram from Chikkamagaluru will be piloting the second Slideways car, showcasing the teamโs commitment to nurturing new talent in Indian motorsport. Both entries are part of Slidewaysโ highly acclaimed Arrive & Drive programme in the INRC3 category.
Revolutionising Grassroots Rallying
Slideways Industries has been a pioneer of the Arrive & Drive format in India, offering aspiring racers a seamless entry into professional rallying. Under this program, the team handles everythingโfrom logistics, testing, and car prep to full service supportโso that drivers can focus solely on what they do best: driving. Itโs a one-of-a-kind initiative that has opened doors for both young hopefuls and motorsport enthusiasts to experience the thrill of INRC.
A Legacy of Champions
Over the years, Slideways Industries has built an enviable legacy. Their 2024 INRC3 Drivers Championship win with Mumbai’s Daraius Shroff is just one of the many accolades to their name. The team has also collaborated closely with Gaurav Gill, Indiaโs only Arjuna Awardee in motorsport and multiple Asia Pacific Rally Champion.
Their long-standing partnership with the Gaurav Gill Advanced Driving Academy further strengthens their grassroots impact, with Slideways drivers doubling up as instructors to groom the next generation of Indian rally stars.
Legends Behind the Wheel
Slideways has had some iconic names behind the wheel of their machines, including Karamjit Singh, the legendary multiple Asia Pacific Rally Champion, and Vikram Mathias, a stalwart of Indian rallying. These associations not only speak volumes about the teamโs engineering prowess but also about their stature within the motorsport community.
As the engines rev and the dust begins to rise in Chennai, Team Slideways Industries stands poised yet again to inspire, compete, and win. Watch this space as one of Indiaโs most-loved rally teams hits the ground running in the 2025 INRC season!
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Oscar Piastri wins in Jeddah to take title lead as Verstappen penalised: F1
Jeddah, 20 April 2025: McLarenโs Oscar Piastri took a composed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix win to take the lead of the Formula 1 Driversโ Championship after a first corner tussle with Max Verstappen resulted in the Red Bull driver being handed a time penalty that eventually dropped him to second behind the Australian.ย
At the start of the race, Verstappen got away well from pole, but on the other side of the front row Piastriโs reactions were marginally quicker. On the run to Turn 1 the McLaren driver nosed ahead of the Red Bull driver on the inside and in Turn Verstappen was forced to cut the corner. The Dutchman continued in the lead, however.
Further back in the pack, Yuki Tusnoda, in the other Red Bull, had Pierre Gasly on his right-hand side and as the pair went into a corner there was contact. Both drivers spun into the wall and while Gasly sustained heavy damage Tsunoda was able to limp back to the pits where the damage was judged to be too great and get retired.
The Safety Car was deployed and during the caution, the Race Stewards ruled that Verstappen had left the track and gained an advantage at the start and he was handed a five-second time penalty.
The Dutchman controlled the lap 8 restart well and he quickly built a one-second lead over Piastri, with Russell third ahead of Leclerc and Mercedesโ Kimi Antonelli. Ferrariโs Lewis Hamilton was sixth. McLarenโs Lando Norris, who had started in tenth on Hard tyres, had risen to eighth after the lap one incident and after the restart muscled his way past Williamsโ Carlos Sainz to take P7.
He then set about was tussling with Hamilton and after twice getting past the Ferrari driver only to be passed again on the pit straight, the Briton at last chose to bide his time and on Lap 15 he held back ahead of the final corner, got DRS, and finally dismissed the seven-time champion. The McLaren driver then began to close up to Antonelli and on lap 18 he powered past the Italian to claim fifth place.
At the front, Verstappen began to pull away from Piastri and by lap 19 he had carved out a three-second gap to the Australian as the pit window opened. On lap 20 Piastri blinked. He dived into the pits to take on Hard tyres and emerged behind Hamilton. Verstappen though stayed out, with his race engineer urging him to keep his good pace going.
At the end of lap 21, the Dutchman made his stop. But after serving his time penalty and bolting on a set of Hard tyres he exited the pit lane three seconds behind Piastri. The Australian then began to post fastest laps to build the gap to over four seconds. At the front, Leclerc, on aged Mediums, now led the race, with Norris, on starting Hard tyres and still setting competitive times, in P2.
Leclerc finally decided heโd had enough of his tyres at the end of lap 29 and after switching to Hard tyres he rejoined in fifth place, behind Russell. Norris finally made his pit stop at the end of lap 34 and after fitting a set of Mediums, he dropped into fifth place, behind Leclerc.
Their stops propelled Piastri back to the lead, 4.5s ahead of Verstappen who was 6.5s clear of Russell. Leclerc was on the move, though, and with fresh Hard tyres on board he quickly reeled in Russell. On lap 38 he closed right up to the Mercedes and powered past on the pit straight to claim the final podium place. Russell, struggling for pace, was then reeled in by Norris who eased past under DRS to take fourth place.
And though the McLaren driver tried to close on Leclerc, the order at the top stabilised and after 50 laps Piastri took victory just 2.8s ahead of Verstappen. Leclerc hung on to third ahead of Norris with Russell in fifth. Antonelli took sixth in the second Mercedes with Hamilton in P7 ahead of Sainz and Alex Albon who handed Williams a double points finish. Racing Bullsโ Isack Hadjar took the final point with tenth place
2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix โ Race
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 50 1:21’06.758
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 50 1:21’09.601 2.843
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 50 1:21’14.862 8.104
4 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 50 1:21’15.954 9.196
5 George Russell Mercedes 50 1:21’33.994 27.236
6 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 50 1:21’41.446 34.688
7 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 50 1:21’45.831 39.073
8 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 50 1:22’11.388 1’04.630
9 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 50 1:22’13.273 1’06.515
10 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 50 1:22’13.849 1’07.091
11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 50 1:22’22.675 1’15.917
12 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 50 1:22’25.209 1’18.451
13 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 50 1:22’25.952 1’19.194
14 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 50 1:22’46.481 1’39.723
15 Nico Hรผlkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 49 1:21’11.367 1 lap /4.609
16 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 49 1:21’12.285 1 lap /5.527
17 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 49 1:21’26.022 1 lap /19.264
18 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 49 1:21’26.064 1 lap /19.306
Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1 2’45.662 Accident damage
Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 0 – Accident. -
Max Verstappen takes Jeddah pole ahead of Oscar Pisastri: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Jeddah, 19 April 2025: Max Verstappen turned around a slow start to his weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit by beating Oscar Piastri to pole position for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as championship leader Lando Norris crashed in Q3 and will start 10th.ย
In the first runs of Q1, Piastri set the pace as he posted a lap of 1:28.019, seven thousandths of a second ahead of McLaren team-mate Norris. Verstappen slotted into third, 0.129s off top spot and ahead of Mercedesโ George Russell and the second Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda. Norris then went for another attempt, and his 1:27.805 lifted him two tenths of a second above his team-mate.ย
Piastri improved on his final run, but only by a tenth of a second and he failed to climb back to P1. With Norris staying put in the McLaren garage that left the door open, and Verstappen strode through, posting a final time of 1:27.778 to take top spot ahead of the McLaren pair. Mercedesโ Kimi Antonelli took fourth at the end of the session ahead of Tsunoda, Williamsโ Alex Albon and Mercedesโ George Russell.
There was no place in the second session, though, for Aston Martinโs Lance Stroll who exited in P16, behind Racing Bullsโ Isack Hadjar, who progressed seven hundredths of a second ahead of the Canadian. Also ruled out at the end of Q1 were Alpineโs Jack Doohan, Sauberโs Nico Hรผlkenberg, Haasโ Esteban Ocon and second Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto.ย
In Q2, Piastri again set the initial pace at 1:27.690 but almost as soon as the Australian crossed the line, Verstappen bounced him out of P1 with a lap of 1:27.529. Norris, though, found enough to go top once more, five hundredths of a second ahead of the Dutchman. Norris stayed in the pit lane for the final runs but this time, with used tyres on board, Verstappen couldnโt haul his way past the McLaren, and he went through to the top 10 shootout in P2 and with two new sets of Softs to play with.
Eliminated at the end of Q2 were Albon in P11, followed by Racing Bullsโ Liam Lawson, Aston Martinโs Fernando Alonso, the second Racing Bulls car of Isack Hadjar and Haasโ Ollie Bearman.
At the start of the final top 10 shootout, Piastri took provisional pole with a lap of 1:27.560. No one else was able to get across the line, however, as Norris took too much kerb in Turn 4 and slid into the barriers on exit. The McLaren driver was unhurt, but the red flags came out.
While Norrisโ crash had wrecked the flying laps of some drivers, Verstappen wasnโt one of them. The Dutchman had been on an out lap when Norris crashed and when the session resumed the Red Bull driver was quickly out on track on scrubbed tyres and a two-run fuel load, as he attempted to get two runs in. And with his first run he stole provisional pole from Piastri by the narrowest of margins โ 0.001s.
In the final runs, Russell laid down the gauntlet with a lap of 1:27.407. Piastri followed and the Australian found 0.256s over his first run to bounce Russell out of top spot.
However, Verstappen now with less fuel on board and with his RB21 โcoming aliveโ as he later put it roared to his second pole of the season and the 42nd of his career.
Behind Piastri and Russell, Leclerc took P4 for Ferrari ahead of Antonelli, while Carlos Sainz took sixth for Williams ahead of the second Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton. Tsunoda qualified in P8, ahead of Alpineโs Pierre Gasly and the unfortunate Norris.
2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix โ Qualifying
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’27.294 – –
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1’27.304 0.010 0.011
3 George Russell Mercedes 1’27.407 0.113 0.129
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1’27.670 0.376 0.431
5 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1’27.866 0.572 0.655
6 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1’28.164 0.870 0.997
7 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1’28.201 0.907 1.039
8 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’28.204 0.910 1.042
9 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1’28.367 1.073 1.229
10 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes – – –
11 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1’28.109 0.815 0.934
12 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1’28.191 0.897 1.028
13 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’28.303 1.009 1.156
14 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1’28.418 1.124 1.288
15 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1’28.648 1.354 1.551
16 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’28.645 1.351 1.548
17 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 1’28.739 1.445 1.655
18 Nico Hรผlkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1’28.782 1.488 1.705
19 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1’29.092 1.798 2.060
20 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1’29.462 2.168 2.484 -
Lando Norris tops FP2 on Friday: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Jeddah, 18 April 2025: At the start of the session, it was Red Bullโs Max Verstappen who set the pace on Medium tyres. The Dutchman posted a lap of 1:29.89 on his first flying lap but he was soon usurped McLarenโs Lando Norris who jumped to the top with a 1:29.27s lap on the same compound on Good Friday evening.
Charles Leclerc also beat Verstappen’s time, slotting into second with a 1:29.477s that included a purple final sector. Moments later the yellow flags came out Turns 1-2 to cover Lance Stroll, who spun into the run-off area as he suffered rear locking.
There was also a nervy moment for Williamsโ Alex Albon too. The Thai driver had to take evasive action when he came across a slow Lewis Hamilton at Turn 18. The Ferrari driver was set to be investigated after the session. Piastri then posted a lap 1:29.273s but Leclerc then went quicker to take top spot on 1:29.002s.
Racing Bullsโ Lawson was the first to move to Softs and the New Zealander posted a time 0.5s off Leclerc. George Russell then moved up to P1 on Softs, but the Mercedes driver was not happy with the balance of his car and Williams Carlos Sainz jumped to P1 on 1:28.942s. Verstappen was the next to go for a qualifying simulation and the Red Bull Racing driver posted a time of 1:28.547 to open a solid half-second gap to the Spaniard.
Verstappenโs stay wasnโt long, however, as Piastri went a tenth clear at the top with a lap of 1:28.430. Norris was one of the last out for his Soft tyre run and with a purple first sector the championship leader jumped above his team-mate with a lap of 1:28.340.
However, Piastri wasnโt done and after cool down laps and a trip through the pit lane he went for another attempt on the same tyres. However, he abandoned the lap after he clipped the wall and failed to improve on his personal best.
Norris repeated that tactic but unlike his team-mate the Briton was able to find an improvement and he shaved seven hundredths of a second off his best lap to seal P1 0.163s clear of Piastri.
With the focus then turning to high fuel runs, mostly conducted on Medium tyres, Verstappen held onto third place, a little under three tenths of a second off Norris. Leclerc also went out for a later Soft run and the Ferrari driver moved up to fourth place with a time of 1:28.749 that left him two tenths clear of Sainz. Yuki Tsunoda was sixth in the second Red Bull, four tenths off his team-mate Verstappen, while Russellโs uncomfortable Soft tyre run left him seventh ahead of Alpineโs Pierre Gasly, Sauberโs Nico Hรผlkenberg and Williamsโ Alex Albon.
However, with nine minutes remaining the red flags came out when Tsunoda touched the wall on the inside of the final corner and was pitched into the opposite wall at the exit of the corner. With broken left suspension and significant damage to the right of his RB21, the session was halted.
The session did resume, but with just a minute left on the clock there was just time for the bulk of the field to make it out of the pit lane to perform a practice start from the grid.
2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix โ Free Practice 2
1 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:28.267 21 251.808
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:28.430 0.163 22 251.344
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:28.547 0.280 23 251.012
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:28.749 0.482 22 250.441
5 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:28.942 0.675 24 249.897
6 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:28.963 0.696 19 249.838
7 George Russell Mercedes 1:28.973 0.706 21 249.810
8 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:29.106 0.839 22 249.437
9 Nico Hรผlkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1:29.193 0.926 21 249.194
10 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:29.220 0.953 23 249.119
11 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:29.242 0.975 16 249.057
12 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:29.306 1.039 17 248.879
13 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:29.371 1.104 23 248.698
14 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:29.488 1.221 22 248.372
15 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:29.662 1.395 18 247.890
16 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:29.754 1.487 19 247.636
17 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 1:29.912 1.645 21 247.201
18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:30.007 1.740 18 246.940
19 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:30.019 1.752 22 246.907 -
Pierre Gasly quickest in FP1: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Jeddah, 18 April 2025: Pierre Gasly went quickest in the first practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the Alpine driver outpacing McLarenโs Lando Norris by less than a hundredth of a second, with Ferrariโs Charles Leclerc third.ย
At the top of the hour, Haasโ Esteban Ocon was first out on track in hot and humid conditions, but it was Mercedesโ George Russell who set the early benchmark with a lap .
1:29.674 that left him 0.306s ahead of Norris, while Red Bullโs Max Verstappen followed in third. Williamsโ Carlos Sainz then bolted on a set of Soft tyres and jumped to second ahead of Norris.
The championship-leading McLaren driver was back out on track on the red-walled Pirelli tyres, however, and he quickly rocketed back to the top of the timesheet with a time of 1:29.246s , three-tenths ahead of Russell and four-tenths clear of team-mate Piastri.
Gasly, who notched his teamโs first points of 2025 last weekend in Bahrain, then arrived with his table-topping lap of 1:29.239 that pushed him seven-thousandths of a second ahead of from Norris.
Leclerc sealed third place on the timesheet with a lap of 1:29.309 that left him 0.070 off Gasly, while fourth place went to Piastri who earlier in the session suffered a malfunctioning drinks system.
After Sainzโs soft tyre run briefly put him into the top two it was team-mate Alex Albon who ended up the highest placed of the two Williams drivers, with the Thai racer taking P5, 0.367 of Gaslyโs P1 mark.
George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, ahead of Sainz, while Ferrariโs Lewis Hamilton was eighth and half a second adrift of team-mate Leclerc.
Max Verstappen was ninth 0.579 off the pace and tenth place went to his Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda who ended the session just three thousandths of a second off the four-time champion.
2025 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix โ Free Practice 1
1 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:29.239 25 249.065
2 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:29.246 0.007 25 249.046
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:29.309 0.070 28 248.870
4 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:29.341 0.102 25 248.781
5 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:29.606 0.367 23 248.045
6 George Russell Mercedes 1:29.618 0.379 21 248.012
7 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:29.779 0.540 26 247.567
8 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:29.815 0.576 27 247.468
9 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:29.818 0.579 26 247.460
10 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:29.821 0.582 26 247.452
11 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:29.907 0.668 19 247.215
12 Nico Hรผlkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1:29.916 0.677 25 247.190
13 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:29.934 0.695 24 247.141
14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:29.976 0.737 24 247.025
15 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:30.011 0.772 15 246.929
16 Jack Doohan Alpine/Renault 1:30.183 0.944 25 246.458
17 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:30.583 1.344 23 245.370
18 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:30.595 1.356 21 245.338
19 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:31.029 1.790 21 244.168
20 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1:31.038 1.799 23 244.144 -
Three Indians on show as TVS Racing gears up for a thrilling 2025 ARRC seasonย
Hosur, 15 April 2025: At least three Indians will be on show displaying their talent, as TVS Racingย is set to elevate theย 2025 Idemitsu FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC)ย by bringing a diverse set of top racers from across the globe, making the competition more intense. Apart from Sarthak Chavan, Chiranth Vishwanath and KY Ahamed, there is a chance for another Indian to enter the fray as a wild card. The championship will kick off atย Thailandโs Chang International Circuit between April 25 & 27, marking the beginning of an action-packed five-round season. Building on its strong legacy,ย TVS Asia One Make Championship (OMC)ย will see participation from five new countriesโSpain, Australia, Switzerland, England, and Argentinaโfurther strengthening its international presence. The 2025 season will also feature aย race-optimized TVS Apache RR 310, engineered for superior performance, ensuring riders stay at the forefront of competitive racing.
Backed by four decades of racing pedigree, TVS Racing continues to push the boundaries of performance and innovation. In 2023, the TVS Apache RR 310 set a new top speed record of 215.9 km per hour in its class, showcasing the brandโs engineering excellence. Building on this momentum, the 2024 season saw it break its own lap records at Thailandโs Chang International Circuit and Malaysiaโs Sepang International Circuit. This year, the refined TVS Apache RR 310 features an enhanced aero package, increased power, and improved riding dynamics, ensuring riders have the most competitive machine on the grid. With a lineup of 15 elite racers from 12 countries, comprising both seasoned champions and promising new talent, TVS Racing is not just competing in the ARRC OMC; it is redefining benchmarks in global two-wheeler motorsport.
Commenting on the 2025 ARRC season,ย Vimal Sumbly, Headof Premium Business, TVS Motor Companyย said,ย “As we enter our fourth season at the Idemitsu FIM ARRC with the TVS Asia OMC, we are raising the bar once again with a race-optimized TVS Apache RR 310 and participation from diverse set of racers from five new countries. With top racers from 12 nations and key performance enhancements to the TVS Apache RR 310โincluding an upgraded aero package, increased power, and refined riding dynamicsโthis season is set to push the boundaries of racing technology and competition. Our commitment to motorsport excellence continues to drive innovation, nurture global talent, and reinforce TVS Racingโs leadership in two-wheeler motorsport. The 2025 season promises to be the most competitive yet, and we look forward to seeing our racers showcase their skills and set new benchmarks on the track.โ
Ron Hogg, Promotions Director of Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR) said, โTVS Asia has come a long way since its debut not only in accelerating the expansion of the two-wheel industry within its target market but also in crafting and executing sportsmanship beyond excellence for the Asian motorsports. This is evident not only from the year-to-year performances between man versus machine but also in its effort to progressively alleviate its standards through a diversified entry list. For the riders, this practice is an excellent approach in helping them reevaluate their level of performance in the face of new rivalries while simultaneously pushing them beyond their existing benchmark for greater success. As for ARRC, this ultimately aligns with our ongoing mission of expanding beyond the existing demography of interest. This is what we hope to continue inculcating through this championship – a partnership that stimulates excitement while providing an enriching and valued experience for all. Season 2025 is about to kick-start and we are thrilled to watch as it unfolds.โ
Upgraded TVS Apache RR 310 for Peak Performance
The 2025 TVS Apache RR 310 is engineered for even greater speed, agility, and control. Key performance upgrades include:
ยท Enhanced engine power (+0.5 bhp) for improved acceleration and top speed.
ยท Friction reduction technology for optimized efficiency and durability.
ยท Aerodynamic refinements boosting water cooling for peak performance in demanding conditions.
Further mid-season upgrades will take performance to the next level, featuring:
ยท A more compact and minimized bike for better handling.
ยท 10% improved aerodynamic efficiency for superior race performance.
ยท Modified gear ratios for enhanced cornering speed and precision.
A Global Talent Pool for a More Competitive Season
This season, 15 elite riders from 12 countries will battle for championship glory. The lineup includes seven returning racers from the 2024 squad, three of whom are from India. They are joined by eight new promising racers, bringing fresh energy and an exciting challenge to the competition. The 2025 ARRC TVS Asia OMC rider lineup, includes:
Sl.No. Rider Name Country 1. Hiroki Ono Japan 2. MD Ramdan Rosli Malaysia 3. Sarthak Chavan India 4. Chiranth Viswanath India 5. Atih Kanghair Thailand 6. Kim Min Jae Korea 7. KY Ahamed India 8. Luis Miguel Spain 9. Hunter Corney Australia 10. Rendi Indonesia 11. Kanatat Jaiman Thailand 12. MD Haziq MD Fairues Malaysia 13. Leendro Paredes Philippines 14. Arysad Rusdi Singapore 15. Wild Card Entry India/England/Argentina The 2024 season saw Hiroki Ono from Japan dominate the ARRC OMC with his second title, while Sarthak Chavan from India made history as the first Indian to secure a top-three finish internationally. The 2025 ARRC TVS Asia OMC promises high-octane action, cutting-edge racing technology, and fierce competition across five rounds, kicking off at Thailandโs Chang International Circuit.
About TVS Racing
TVS Racing, a pioneer in building Motorsports in India since 1982, has been integral in growing the racing performance culture and has been pivotal in engineering the TVS Apache series through the companyโs โTrack to Roadโ strategy. The brand has redefined the sports segment by focusing on race performance, making it a highly desirable product for sports enthusiasts. This has resulted in TVS Apache and TVS NTORQ 125 becoming the fastest growing brands in their respective segments. TVS Racing is also the pioneer of the One Make Championship in the country, the first Indian manufacturer to introduce the series in India in 1994.
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Marquez vs Viรฑales lights up Doha before penalty drama; Bagnaia and Morbidelli complete the podium: MotoGP
Doha, 13 April 2025: The double in Doha – who’d have thought it? Some might, but notย Marc Marquezย (Ducati Lenovo Team). However, that’s exactly how it unfolded for the #93 as a frantic MotoGP battle played out in a Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar that sawย Maverick Viรฑalesย clinch a first podium in Red Bull KTM Tech3 colours – or so we thought.ย Francesco Bagnaiaย (Ducati Lenovo Team) recovered to P3 at the line after a dissatisfying Saturday, as drama unfolded forย Alex Marquezย (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who was forced to settle for P7, which was then P6.ย
Why? Because after a tyre pressure penalty for Viรฑales post-race, most of the points scorers were promoted one position. It saw Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) elevated to P3 – and, of course, Bagnaia to P2. Those +16s demoted Viรฑales to P14.
A FRANTIC OPENING
Marc Marquez was the rider to earn the holeshot into Turn 1, but as the field exited the opening corner, contact was made between the #93 and Alex Marquez, with a piece of bodywork pinging off the rear end of the red machine. This allowed Morbidelli to take the lead into Turn 2 as Viรฑales made life harder for Alex Marquez. Top Gun was P3 through the fast Turn 3 but fair play to Marquez, he bit back to get behind his older brother once more.
Morbidelliโs lead was up to 0.8s at the beginning of Lap 3, as Bagnaia made a decent start. The Americas GP winner was up to sixth before more contact! Alex Marquez was trying to muscle his way back past Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) into Turn 12 but he misjudged it. Both went wide with Marquez dropping to P7 and the luckless Di Giannantonio being forced back to P21. And for the incident, Alex Marquez was handed a Long Lap penalty.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia was on the move. On the anchors heading into Turn 1 on Lap 5, Bagnaia breezed past Marc Marquez to climb into second place. That meant the Championship leader was third, Viรฑales was fourth, Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) was running in P5 with Fermin Aldeguer and BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP teammate Marquez in P6 and P7.
On Lap 6, Marquez completed his Long Lap penalty. The #73 went from P6 to P12, 4.9s away from Morbidelli. At the front, Marc Marquez forced his way back through on Bagnaia for P2 with 16 laps left, and right behind them, Viรฑales set the fastest lap of the race as Morbidelliโs lead continued to shrink. What were we saying about Viรฑales? At the end of Lap 7, the #12 passed Bagnaia for P3 and then set his sights on Marquez.
VIรALES LEADS, MARQUEZ PLOTS RESPONSE
And with 13 laps to go, Viรฑales got the better of his second factory Ducati. This was stunning from the Tech3 star, and a lap later, he led. Same spot, same outcome. Morbidelli lost the lead for the first time, and Marquez powered past the Italian as well. Bagnaia was then desperate to pass Morbidelli as the VR46 Academy duo swapped positions five times on Lap 11 of 22, but it cost the pair crucial ground. Over the line, Bagnaia was 0.9s behind Marquez.
Zarco was the next rider to get the better of Morbidelli as the Frenchman grabbed P4, and the Italian started to immediately lose ground. With eight laps to go, Viรฑales was still holding Marquez at bay, with Pecco 0.8s behind the top two. Then, a mistake. Viรฑales was slightly wide at Turn 6 and that opened the door for Marquez to take the race lead baton with seven laps to go, so what could Viรฑales and Pecco do now?
PIN PULLED – MARC MARQUEZ STYLE
The answer, for now, was not a lot. Marquez was the fastest of the trio, but only by a tenth over Bagnaia. However, Viรฑales was 0.3s slower than Marquez on Lap 17, so was this the KTM start beginning to run out of grip and steam? It wasnโt โ it was Marquez finding pace. The fastest lap of the race was landed by the six-time MotoGP World Champion – it was two tenths quicker than Viรฑales and seven tenths faster than Pecco.
Three to go. Another fastest lap of the race for Marquez saw the #93 stretch his lead up to a second, as Bagnaia slipped 1.4s behind Viรฑales. And heading onto the last lap, it was as you were. Marquez led Viรฑales by 1.5s, Bagnaia was in a comfortable third and sure enough, as the chequered flag waved, Marc Marquez bounced back from his Austin disappointment with an almighty bang. For the first time since 2014, Marquez claimed victory and with it, strengthened his Championship position ahead of a date with Jerez.
Viรฑalesโ P2 result is a huge boost for KTM โ what a ride from Top Gun in Doha. Bagnaia will be disappointed to lose ground in the title chase but after a below-par Saturday, a comeback ride to P3 was a job well done by the Italian.
YOUR POINTS SCORERS IN QATAR
Morbidelli did fight back in the end to earn P4 across the line but as mentioned, that’s now P3 as Zarco held off the efforts of Aldeguer to earn a career best Honda result in P4, while the latter earned his best Grand Prix result in MotoGP with a P5. Alex Marquezโs recovery ended with a P6, a top job to get back there from the Spaniard, but thatโs the run of P2s and podiums over.
Starting from the front row for the first time since 2023, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) bags P7 ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), and Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) – the Italian completed the top 10.
Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) claimed P11, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) takes home a P12 as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Viรฑales after his penalty and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) collected the final points.
Unfortunately, Jorge Martinโs (Aprilia Racing) Grand Prix Sunday comeback ended prematurely after the World Champion suffered a crash. The #1 was taken to the medical centre for a check-up, and then to local hospital. Aprilia have provided updates on rib contusions and fractures, with Martin remaining in hospital for the moment.
NEXT UP: JEREZ
For Marquez at the top, that’s seven wins from eight. And now, a trip home beckons. Marc Marquez leads the MotoGP World Championship ahead of the Spanish GP and we can absolutely promise a party atmosphere awaits in Jerez. The question is, can anyone halt the #93โs momentum? -
Marc Marquez pips Alex, Quartararo third as Bagnaia takes Q2 tumble
A late lap record pole position, Yamaha on the front row, Bagnaia in the gravel: qualifying sets us up for a floodlit spectacular.
Qatar, 12 April 2025: Marc Marquezย (Ducati Lenovo Team) continues his run of qualifying supremacy with a new lap record pole position at Lusail, putting in a 1:50.499 on his final push to denyย Alex Marquezย (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) by just a tenth.ย
In third itโs a stunning performance from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as Yamaha get back on the front row for the first time since 2022, meanwhile fortunes reversed for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the #63 finds himself down in P11 after sliding out on his second run.
Q1: WILL HE, WONโT HE?
He tried. As he returns to action, itโs not about results just yet for reigning Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), itโs about getting back in the groove and gaining kilometers. It seems like it may well end up being both, however, as the #1 was sitting second behind rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) for much of Q1, potentially on to move through. In the end it wasnโt quite to be though, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) slotting in to second to join Ogura in the fight for pole.Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) just pipped his teammate but finished the session third, missing out on Q2 by just 0.041s.
Q2: DESERT BLOCKBUSTER
Then it was the pole position shootout. Friday saw a gap of just 0.022s between Bagnaia and teammate Marc Marquez, and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was ahead of both โ teasing much from the potential pole position shootout.Alex Marquez them around their first laps of Lusail and was briefly ahead before his brother pipped him to provisional pole. Morbidelli, Quartararo, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was the top six after the first run, with Bagnaia P9 and looking for more. But in the final five minutes, it was all set to change.
BAGNAIA ON THE BACK FOOT
Eager to improve, the #63 was the first out for the second run but then it all came to a crashing sudden halt at Turn 4. The double MotoGP Champion tucked the front, spelling the end of his session too as he couldnโt get back in time to head back out. Di Giannantonio was on a storming lap though, good enough to put him on a provisional front row in second. Rins was also a huge improver, moving into P5, but teammate Quartararo was on his way to steal the show.โEl Diabloโ put in an absolute stunner to take over on provisional pole as the clock ticked down, but Alex Marquez then just snatched it away from the #20. That left Marc Marquez down in P3 but lighting up the timing screens, with the spotlight on the #93. Could he get it done on his final push? Just. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider set a new lap record to take his fourth pole of the year ahead of brother Alex in P2, but Quartararoโs third is his and Yamahaโs first front row since Assen in 2022, showing the steps made by the Iwata manufacturer. And right on the back of his absolute showstopper of a start and Sprint at COTAโฆ
THE GRID
The second row features Fridayโs fastest Morbidelli, who was just ahead of Marc on track to improve late on, pipping teammate Di Giannantonio. Then comes another serious standout performer as Maverick Viรฑales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) makes it three manufacturers on the front two rows of the grid in sixth. The #12 also takes top KTM honours by some six tenths over Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who had a quiet session to finish P12 as last of the Q2 runners.Zarco just missed out on the top two rows but heads the third in P7, ahead of top rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), with his best grid position so far of P8. Rins is ninth ahead of Ogura, with Bagnaia slowly bumped down to P11 as he was forced to cede the floor after his crash. He and Acosta alongside him will be gunning for gains at lights out, and after Bagnaia took the holeshot from well behind the front row in Texas, theyโll be ones to watchโฆ
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Marc Marquez wins Sprint to take back championship lead; Alex takes P2: Lusail Sprint
Doha, 12 April 2025: The scintillating 2025 Saturday streak continues forย Marc Marquezย (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the #93 completed a pole position and Tissot Sprint double at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to wrestle back the Championship lead from second place finisherย Alex Marquezย (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). The bronze medal went the way ofย Franco Morbidelliย (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), as fellow Italianย Francesco Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) evening ended with a disappointing P8 in Doha.ย
THE START: MARQUEZ VS MARQUEZ, BAGNAIA STRUGGLES
The top three on the grid all launched off the line very well but it was polesitter Marc Marquez who grabbed the holeshot ahead of Alex Marquez and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Morbidelli and Fermin Aldeguer exchanged P4 at Turn 4, before the rookie got a little bit beaten up as Maverick Viรฑales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) forced their way through.
Meanwhile, at the end of the first lap, Bagnaiaโs progress was P11 to P8. Not bad, but the Italian needed more. At the front, Alex got the better of Marc at Turn 1 on Lap 2, but the red corner bit straight back. And what were we saying about Pecco needing more? Thatโs exactly the opposite of what happened on Lap 2.
First Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), then Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and then 2023 and 2024 title rival, Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), were ahead of Bagnaia. What was going on with the #63?
MARC PULLS CLEAR AS PODIUM FIGHT HOTS UP
At the front, Marc continued to lead Alex, with the gap between the two hovering around the 0.3s mark. Morbidelli was third, 0.7s further back, with Quartararo 0.3s away from his former teammate in P4. Viรฑales was well in touch in P5, as a mistake from Zarco cost the Frenchman a place to Aldeguer on Lap 4 of 11.
A fastest lap of the race was then set by Marc Marquez, seeing his lead stretch to 0.5s, but Alex Marquez responded with his personal best lap on the next lap to maintain that half a second. Elsewhere, Aldeguer was flying. The Gresini rider quickly reeled in Viรฑales and made a move stick with five laps left, with Bagnaia still outside of the points in P11. That was then P10 as Zarco lost more ground after running wide at the final corner, with Bagnaia now facing the tailpipes of Acosta and Ogura.
Three laps to go. Marc Marquez was now 1.2s up the road and looked set to keep his 100% Sprint record, while Morbidelli was keeping Quartararo half a second behind him. Bagnaia passed Acosta at Turn 4 to climb into P9 โ in other words, a point-scoring position.
Last lap time! The victory fight seemed over, but the podium battle certainly wasnโt. Morbidelliโs margin had disappeared as Quartararo and Aldeguer swarmed. Could they do anything to pinch a podium from the Italian? Not quite. A small error at the final corner saw Quartararo hand Aldeguer a free pass into P4, but for the fourth Grand Prix in a row, Marc Marquez doubled up on a Saturday. Alex Marquezโs P2 run continued and Morbidelli did just about hold onto a bronze medal.
THE POINTS SCORERS
Aldeguerโs mid to late Sprint pace was nothing short of sensational as the rookie bagged a very impressive P4, with Quartararo backing up his front row with a hard-earned P5. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was 0.5s adrift of the Yamaha star in P6, Ogura was the lead Aprilia in P7, with Bagnaia having to settle for a low-key P8. Work to do for Bagnaia ahead of Sundayโs Grand Prix.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) earned the final point in P9 as Viรฑalesโ soft tyre gamble failed to pay off in the second half of the Sprint โ the KTM rider slipped from P5 to P10. And speaking of Aprilia, in his first Sprint appearance since the 2024 Solidarity GP, World Champion Martin crossed the line in P16 to get crucial mileage under his belt after his injury layoff. How good was it to see the #1 back in the battle?
So once more, Saturday belongs to Marc Marquez. Can anyone find a way of beating the six-time MotoGP World Champion on Sunday evening? We’ll find out at 20:00 local time (UTC +3).
