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Hail Gears Up for 21st Hail Toyota International Baja Rally

The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation - SPA
The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation - SPA
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Hail Gears Up for 21st Hail Toyota International Baja Rally

The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation - SPA
The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation - SPA

Hail Region is witnessing growing anticipation as it prepares for the launch of the 21st Hail Toyota International Baja, one of the region’s most prominent motorsport events, scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31, with the participation of elite local and international competitors.

The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport, the Hail Region Principality, the Hail Region Development Authority, and under the sponsorship of official partner Jameel Motorsport, along with the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.

This year’s edition brings together several internationally and regionally sanctioned championships, including the FIA Baja World Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, as well as the FIM Baja World Cup and the FIM Asia Baja Cup.

It also serves as the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship, further reinforcing its standing as one of the most significant Baja rallies in the region.

The rally will be accompanied by an integrated program of supporting activities designed to provide a distinctive experience for visitors and residents, enhance community engagement, and contribute to the tourism and economic momentum currently witnessed in Hail Region.

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Verstappen Says Too Late to Change Tack on New F1 Era

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 5, 2026 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during the photoshoot ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Mark Peterson
Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 5, 2026 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during the photoshoot ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Mark Peterson
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Verstappen Says Too Late to Change Tack on New F1 Era

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 5, 2026 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during the photoshoot ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Mark Peterson
Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 5, 2026 Red Bull's Max Verstappen during the photoshoot ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Mark Peterson

Four-times Formula One champion Max Verstappen is no fan of F1's technical reset but believes it is here to stay.

During off-season testing, the Red Bull driver was critical of the more electrified engines, which put more onus on drivers to be tactical with energy deployment and regeneration, describing it as "Formula E on steroids" and "anti-racing.”

Other drivers have also expressed concern in the lead-up to Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix where they will contend with the changes under race conditions for ⁠the first time.

Williams' ⁠Carlos Sainz told reporters at Albert Park that the governing FIA needed to listen to driver feedback and be flexible to tweak the regulations from race to race.

Verstappen said it was a "bit late" for that.

"Everything, the amount of money that has been ⁠invested as well into these regulations, it will be around for a while," he told reporters, according to Reuters.

"Suddenly, now things are raised, it's a bit late."

Verstappen, however, gave a glowing review of Red Bull's RB22 cars which will race with their own engine for the first time in Australia.

"I was really positively surprised with how basically everything felt," he said.

"Also, the rule changes have been really complex for everyone, but in terms ⁠of the ⁠feeling in the car, the driving experience between the engine and the car was good."

Mercedes and Ferrari appeared to have the edge over rivals in winter testing, and Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull was unlikely to be the fastest team.

"Looking on the performance side of things, I think we want to be a little bit faster," he said.

"And naturally, I think everyone always wants to be faster, but from the things we learned in Bahrain (testing), at least we're not the quickest."

Sports

Djokovic Says he Will Keep Playing as Long as he Has 'Fire and Flair'

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Djokovic Says he Will Keep Playing as Long as he Has 'Fire and Flair'

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: Novak Djokovic of Serbia fields questions form the media during Day 1 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 04, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Novak Djokovic said he sees no reason to retire from tennis given that he is still motivated to compete and capable of beating the best players in the world.

The 38-year-old Serb defeated defending champion Jannik Sinner in a thrilling semi-final at the Australian Open in January before falling to world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final, proving he is still a force on ⁠the sport's biggest ⁠stages.

"It was an incredible feeling to be able to beat Sinner in five sets in one of the epic matches that I played in recent times in Australia, and then have another great match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end," Djokovic told ⁠reporters at Indian Wells.

"For me, that has been a phenomenal result. So I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"So my logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and the motivation to do that."

The 24-times Grand Slam champion said he enjoys picking and choosing his schedule, which revolves mostly ⁠around the ⁠four Grand Slams and tune-up events. He also makes space for the Indian Wells tournament in the California desert, where he is a five-time champion.

"I really enjoy the thrill of competition," he said.

"I enjoy still getting out there in front of the fans and being competitive. Still number three in the world, so I don't think it's too bad in terms of the ranking and results and performances.

"So I'm still competitive. I still have that edge, and I'll keep on going as long as I feel like it."

Sports

Andreeva Ready for Role as Defending Indian Wells Champion

Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Andreeva Ready for Role as Defending Indian Wells Champion

Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 2, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mirra Andreeva (RUS) holds her dog Ressi during her practice session for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva said she will go into her Indian Wells title defense without worrying about the potential for dropping ranking points after being swept up in the excitement of being defending champion at last month's tournament in Dubai.

Andreeva toppled world number one Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final in Southern California for back-to-back WTA 1000 titles after her triumph in Dubai, but struggled to find similar form thereafter as she navigated the demands of her breakthrough season.

The search for consistency continued after the 18-year-old won the Adelaide crown ⁠at the start ⁠of 2026 before a run to the quarter-finals in Dubai, where she embraced the added scrutiny that comes with past success.

"I was worried about defending points in Dubai since Roland Garros," Andreeva told reporters on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

"I was thinking about it a lot, but when I came to ⁠Dubai the only thing I felt was the excitement of being there again, feeling new emotions at the tournament as defending champion.

"It was all new to me but I didn't feel the pressure for some reason as I thought I would. And here it's the same thing. I'm just so excited to be here as a defending champion, to see my photos almost everywhere.

"It's just nice to be here again and now I don't feel any pressure ⁠defending points."

Andreeva, ⁠who also beat Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek en route to winning the Indian Wells title, said she is better equipped to handle drop-offs in form.

"I was just struggling to play and use that level in all the tournaments that I played," she added.

"It was a bit on and off, which was a new experience for me. But now if that happens again, I know how to deal with it."

Eighth seed Andreeva has a bye into the second round where she faces either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra.