Saudi Motorsport Company Reveals Renderings of State-of-the-Art Track Pit Building for F1 Race

The pitlane building at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (SAMF)
The pitlane building at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (SAMF)
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Saudi Motorsport Company Reveals Renderings of State-of-the-Art Track Pit Building for F1 Race

The pitlane building at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (SAMF)
The pitlane building at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (SAMF)

The Saudi Motorsport Company has revealed new renderings of what the state-of-the-art pit and team building at the inaugural Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah will look like.

Considered the heart of the circuit – set to be F1’s fastest ever street track – the building will overlook the starting grid and back on to Jeddah’s majestic Red Sea coast.

The four-storey structure has been designed by Ulrich Merres, one of Hermann Tilke’s architects, and “takes the form of a composed landscape of multi-storey staggered buildings sitting splendidly alongside the main straight of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, defined in its detail by straight and sleek lines,” per a statement.

“Designed to fit harmoniously within the track and its surroundings, its architectural expression is equally inspired by its idyllic location on the banks of the Red Sea and the layout of the circuit.”

The pit building will offer views of both the track and the Jeddah waterfront, with the circuit being finely designed around the city’s corniche. It will house all team garages as well as the race control center and the exclusive Paddock Club premium hospitality suites, providing guests with a magnificent view down on to the pit lane and starting grid.

“We are delighted to share these exclusive renderings of our stunning Pit and Team Building with the world today,” said HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF).

“The Pit Building stands as a symbol of all that this race represents: welcoming, modern and spectacular.

“With only six months to go until the pinnacle of motorsport reaches Saudi Arabia, preparations are progressing at an incredible rate as our dedicated team gears up for the first ever Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. We can’t wait to welcome you to Jeddah next December for a weekend of record-breaking racing and world class entertainment.”

Located in Jeddah’s stunning Corniche area, approximately 12km north of the city center, the circuit skirts the Red Sea and encircles a lagoon, and with three potential DRS zones and an evening start time, it should produce spectacular racing under floodlights.

Developed with close collaboration between Tilke GmbH & Co. KG and the Formula 1 Motorsport team led by Ross Brawn, the circuit is atypical of many street circuits in that it utilizes existing roads as much as possible yet remains fast flowing in character.



Fans Vandalize India Stadium after Messi's Abrupt Exit

Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend.  EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend. EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
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Fans Vandalize India Stadium after Messi's Abrupt Exit

Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend.  EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY
Fans throw bottles and chairs, vandalizing hoardings at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, 13 December 2025. Following Messi's brief five-minute appearance, unrest broke out among fans who had paid a significant amount but were unable to see the Argentine football legend. EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY

Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.

As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name, said AFP.

Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.

Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.

Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.

Many others stormed the pitch and vandalized banners and tents.

"For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium," businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.

Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-meter (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.

He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.

Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent "a month's salary" to see Messi.

"I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame," Ajay Shah, told PTI.

State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "disturbed" and "shocked" at the mismanagement.

"I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.

Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.

His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America.


No Doubting Man City Boss Guardiola’s Passion Says Toure

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
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No Doubting Man City Boss Guardiola’s Passion Says Toure

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 10, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Pep Guardiola is as passionate and enthused as he's ever been as he looks to regain the Premier League title, according to his Manchester City deputy Kolo Toure.

City boss Guardiola is in his 10th season in charge at the Etihad Stadium and eager to get back on the trophy trail after failing to add to his vast collection of silverware last season.

But City are now just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, with Toure -- who joined Guardiola's backroom staff in pre-season -- impressed by the manager's desire for yet more success despite everything he has already achieved in football.

"The manager's energy every day is incredible," Tour told reporters on Friday.

"I'm so surprised, with all the years that he's done in the league. The passion he brings to every meeting, the training sessions -- he's enjoying himself every day and we are enjoying it as well."

The former City defender added: "You can see in the games when we play. It doesn't matter what happens, we have a big spirit in the team, we have a lot of energy, we are fighting for every single ball."

Toure was standing in for Guardiola at a press conference to preview City's league match away to Crystal Palace, with the manager unable to attend due to a personal matter. City, however, expect Guardiola to be in charge as usual at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

"Pep is fine," said Toure. "It's just a small matter that didn't bring him here."

Former Ivory Coast international Toure won the Premier League with Arsenal before featuring in City's title-winning side of 2012.

The 44-year-old later played for Liverpool and Celtic before moving into coaching. A brief spell as Wigan boss followed. Toure then returned to football with City's academy before being promoted by Guardiola.

"For me, to work with Pep Guardiola was a dream," said Toure. "To work with the first team was a blessing for me.

"Every day for me is fantastic. He loves his players, he loves his staff, his passion for the game is high, he's intense. We love him. I'm very lucky."


Vonn Dominates Opening Downhill as Oldest World Cup Winner

United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025.  (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
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Vonn Dominates Opening Downhill as Oldest World Cup Winner

United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025.  (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
United States' Lindsey Vonn competes in an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Friday, Dec.12, 2025. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

American great Lindsey Vonn dominated the opening women's downhill of the season on Friday to become the oldest winner of an Alpine skiing World Cup race in a sensational boost for her 2026 Olympic comeback bid.

The 2010 Olympic downhill champion took the 83rd World Cup win of her career - and first since a downhill in Are, Sweden, in March 2018 - by 0.98 of a second in the Swiss resort of St Moritz.

The 41-year-old was fastest by an astonishing 1.16 seconds ahead of Mirjam Puchner of Austria. Even wilder was that Vonn trailed by 0.61 after the first two time checks.

Vonn then was faster than anyone through the next speed checks, touching 119 kph (74 mph), and posted the fastest time splits for the bottom half of the sunbathed Corviglia course.

She skied through the finish area and bumped against the inflated safety barrier, lay down in the snow and raised her arms on seeing her time.

Vonn got up, punched the air with her right fist and shrieked with joy before putting her hands to her left cheek in a sleeping gesture.

She was the No. 16 starter with all the pre-race favorites having completed their runs.

Vonn now races with a titanium knee on her comeback, which started last season after five years of retirement.

The Olympic champion is targeting another gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February.