Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female

Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female
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Nearly half of the grid, seven out of 16 drivers, or 44 percent, are women, the organizers stated in a release recently. (Supplied)
Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female
2 / 2
Nearly half of the grid, seven out of 16 drivers, or 44 percent, are women, the organizers stated in a release recently. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 November 2025
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Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female

Women take the wheel: 44% of Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship 2025 drivers are female
  • Leading competitor is Saudi Arabia driver Farah Al-Yousef
  • Every race is chance for improvement, says the star driver

JEDDAH: The FIA-certified Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship continues to make history this season, with women taking center stage in one of the Middle East’s most competitive single-seater series.

Nearly half of the grid, seven out of 16 drivers, or 44 percent, are women, the organizers stated in a release recently.

Promoted by ALTAWKILAT Motorsport under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and Aramco as title sponsor, the championship has quickly earned a well-deserved reputation.

The opening rounds at the Bahrain International Circuit delivered four thrilling races, each showcasing the championship’s depth of talent and global diversity.

British driver Kit Belofsky (PEAX) claimed victory in race one, followed by the UAE’s Adam Al-Azhari (VALVOLINE) in race two. Round two saw Al-Azhari strike first before Belofsky sealed another win in race four, continuing their fierce rivalry.

Amid this intense competition, the women of Aramco F4 have emerged as a defining force. Dutch driver Nina Gademan (CARAAGY) stormed to second- and third-place podiums in round one, while Esmee Kosterman (MY-CAR) earned the Best Female Driver Award in round two.

The championship returns home to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest street track, for three back-to-back rounds, Nov. 10 to 11, Nov. 14 to 15, and Dec. 5 to 6.

Leading this charge is Saudi Arabia driver Farah Al-Yousef (VALVOLINE), a trailblazer whose career embodies the Kingdom’s motorsport evolution.

“With every race, I feel myself growing  technically, mentally, and emotionally,” Al-Yousef said.

“It’s an honor to race at home, in front of my friends and family, and I’m deeply grateful to SAMF and ALTAWKILAT Motorsport for creating this platform. Their support motivates me to push harder every time I’m on track.”

Al-Yousef has represented the Kingdom at the Formula Women Nations Cup Finals in Dubai, was crowned the Saudi Women’s Karting Champion in 2022, and competed as the Jeddah Wildcard in the 2025 F1 Academy.

Joining her on the grid is a lineup of international talent, including Esmee Kosterman (MY-CAR), Ava Dobson (PEAX), Nina Gademan (CARAAGY), Megan Bruce (CARAAGY), Rachel Robertson (ASTOP), and Chiara Batting (Red Bull).

As title sponsor, Aramco continues to support young drivers with technical coaching, performance analytics, physical conditioning, and media training.


Aaron Rai uses rare feat to tie Tommy Fleetwood for Abu Dhabi Championship lead

Aaron Rai uses rare feat to tie Tommy Fleetwood for Abu Dhabi Championship lead
Updated 08 November 2025
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Aaron Rai uses rare feat to tie Tommy Fleetwood for Abu Dhabi Championship lead

Aaron Rai uses rare feat to tie Tommy Fleetwood for Abu Dhabi Championship lead
  • He described the shot after the round, which left him at a 14-under 130 through 36 holes and tied with Fleetwood
  • To maintain a share of the lead, Fleetwood mixed seven birdies and a bogey to finish with a 66 following his opening-round 64

ABU DHABI: Aaron Rai holed his approach shot from 218 yards out to score a rare albatross, highlighting a round of 64 that left him tied for the lead after 36 holes at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.

Rai entered the second round at Yas Links Golf Club two strokes behind a quintet of co-leaders, including fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, but quickly made up ground on the par-5 No. 2 hole. His second shot landed on the green and rolled into the cup, allowing him to pick up three shots on the hole.

He described the shot after the round, which left him at a 14-under 130 through 36 holes and tied with Fleetwood.

“The wind was a little bit down off the left and that green was so fast,” he said. “It slopes front-to-back, pitching a few yards on to the green, actually caught it a little bit clean off the face, the line was great. Finished around the front edge and chased its way down there. You couldn’t see it from the back of the fairway, so it was a nice surprise.”

To maintain a share of the lead, Fleetwood mixed seven birdies and a bogey to finish with a 66 following his opening-round 64. He is a two-time winner of the event and confident heading into the third round on Saturday.

“Really good day. I got off to like the perfect start. Birdie, birdie, birdie,” he said. “That was good, especially when you’ve had a good round the day before. They always say it’s hard to follow up a good round with another good one, or a low one with another one.

“Starting good was really important. I just did a really good job — I hit a lot of good shots but a few times today where I drove it into the rough and we read the lies really well. I felt like we did a great job of controlling the ball out of the rough, and that was really pleasing. I feel like I putted solid again; 6-under was a very good score.”

Rai and Fleetwood are two shots ahead of Andy Sullivan (67) of England, Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard (67) and Richard Sterne (68) of South Africa.

Irishman Shane Lowry, another past champion, is one of four players three shots behind the leaders at 11-under. He shot a 69.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, ranked No. 2 in the world, is 8-under for the tournament and tied for 20th place after back-to-back rounds of 68.