Italy's Fornaroli Wins Formula Two Title in Qatar

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri in action during the sprint race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri in action during the sprint race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
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Italy's Fornaroli Wins Formula Two Title in Qatar

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri in action during the sprint race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri in action during the sprint race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Italian Leonardo Fornaroli won the Formula Two championship with a round to spare on Sunday after finishing runner-up in the feature race in Qatar.

The 20-year-old claimed the Formula Three title last year and followed Formula One drivers Gabriel Bortoleto, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Charles Leclerc in taking consecutive crowns in junior series, Reuters reported.

Formula Two is a feeder series for Formula One but Fornaroli, who drives for Invicta Racing, is not affiliated with any team and there are no obvious race seats still available for next year.

 

 

 



Senegal Says Morocco Ties ‘Stronger Than Emotion’ After Chaotic AFCON Final

Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (L) and Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch attend the signing ceremony of a joint statement during the 15th session of the Joint High Commission between Morocco and Senegal, in Rabat, Morocco, 26 January 2026. (EPA)
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (L) and Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch attend the signing ceremony of a joint statement during the 15th session of the Joint High Commission between Morocco and Senegal, in Rabat, Morocco, 26 January 2026. (EPA)
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Senegal Says Morocco Ties ‘Stronger Than Emotion’ After Chaotic AFCON Final

Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (L) and Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch attend the signing ceremony of a joint statement during the 15th session of the Joint High Commission between Morocco and Senegal, in Rabat, Morocco, 26 January 2026. (EPA)
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (L) and Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch attend the signing ceremony of a joint statement during the 15th session of the Joint High Commission between Morocco and Senegal, in Rabat, Morocco, 26 January 2026. (EPA)

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on Monday in Rabat that ties with Morocco were "stronger than emotion", days after chaotic scenes erupted when the two nations faced each other in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The January 18 match -- which saw Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 on home turf -- descended into turmoil after the Senegalese contingent protested a last-minute decision to award Morocco a penalty.

Some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch as others threw objects onto the field, while their team halted the game for nearly 20 minutes by stepping out of play, before resuming and winning the match.

Speaking in Rabat during a joint Senegal-Morocco commission meeting, Sonko said his visit was not meant to calm tempers but to "confirm" the ties between the two nations.

Morocco and Senegal cooperate in sectors including tourism, energy, infrastructure and transport, in addition to sharing strong religious ties.

"The excesses we witnessed should be understood as emotional spillovers driven by passion and not as political or cultural factors," Sonko said during the meeting co-chaired with Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

Akhannouch echoed his message, stressing that relations between Rabat and Dakar rest on "a solid foundation".

Last week, Morocco's King Mohammed VI also voiced confidence in "African brotherhood" following the final's "unfortunate incidents".


Hail International Rally Celebrates Two Decades of Champions

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
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Hail International Rally Celebrates Two Decades of Champions

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA
Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition - SPA

The Hail International Rally is regarded as one of the most prominent and long-established desert rally events in the region, having cemented its status over the years as a major arena for challenge and competition in motorsports since its inaugural edition in 2006.

Throughout nearly two decades, the rally has seen fierce competition for the championship title across its various editions, crowning an elite group of top Saudi, Arab, and international drivers, with the 2026 edition continuing this rich legacy of achievement and success.

The record of Hail Rally champions includes Saudi driver Farhan Al-Shammari, who won the inaugural edition in 2006, followed by Rajeh Al-Shammari in 2007, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah in 2008, and Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who secured the titles in 2009 and 2010, SPA reported.

Al-Attiyah returned to win in 2011, followed by another title for Al-Rajhi in 2012, while Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal claimed the first European victory in 2013. Saudi driver Ibrahim Al-Muhanna was crowned champion in 2014, after which Al-Rajhi extended his dominance by winning the 2015 and 2016 titles.

Fares Al-Moshana won the 2017 edition, Issa Al-Dossary claimed the titles in 2018 and 2019, and Saleh Al-Abdulali captured the February 2020 edition.

The December 2020 edition saw Al-Attiyah take the “Baja 1” title, while Spanish driver Carlos Sainz claimed the “Baja 2” title, before Al-Attiyah returned to win the championships in 2021 and 2023. Al-Rajhi secured the titles in 2022 and 2024, concluding the record by winning the 2025 edition.


Hail Toyota International Baja Rally 2026 to Feature 109 Competitors

Preparations for the rally are ongoing to ensure it meets the highest international standards - SPA
Preparations for the rally are ongoing to ensure it meets the highest international standards - SPA
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Hail Toyota International Baja Rally 2026 to Feature 109 Competitors

Preparations for the rally are ongoing to ensure it meets the highest international standards - SPA
Preparations for the rally are ongoing to ensure it meets the highest international standards - SPA

The organizing committee of the Hail Toyota International Baja Rally 2026 announced the preliminary list of participants for this year’s rally, featuring 109 competitors, including top local and international champions, reaffirming the event’s prominence on the regional and global motorsport scene.

The event will showcase competitors in all Baja-recognized categories, including cars, motorcycles, and quads, with 40 in the international vehicle class, 33 in the local vehicle class, and 39 in the motorcycle class, enhancing the event's sporting and public appeal, SPA reported.

Preparations for the rally are ongoing to ensure it meets the highest international standards.

The event is scheduled for January 28 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., after which the final participant list will be announced.