Sports

Alonso gets 100th F1 podium after penalty u-turn

Published

3 years ago

March 20, 2023

Staff Reporter

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BEN STANSALL/ AFP

Fernando Alonso was handed back the 100th podium of his Formula One career, and second in two races for Aston Martin, after a U-turn by officials hours after the finish of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old double world champion, enjoying a renaissance with his much-improved team, finished third in Jeddah but was demoted to fourth by a 10-second post-race penalty.

The Spaniard was initially handed a five-second penalty for an error on the starting grid and another for failing to serve it properly — the rear jack being in contact with the car before the five seconds were up.

That second penalty was then reversed when his team won a right to review after presenting new evidence to support their case.

“I am happy in the end with the result tonight and our second podium. We showed that we can be the second fastest team and we had good pace throughout the race,” said Alonso in a team statement.

The new evidence included the minutes of the latest Sporting Advisory Committee meeting and video of “seven different instances where cars were touched by the jack while serving a similar penalty… without being penalised.”

Stewards said the evidence called into question a supposed agreement between the teams and FIA that “touching the car in any way, including with a jack, would constitute ‘working’ on the car.”

Alonso, who had celebrated on the podium before the demotion, had criticised the FIA for the delay in imposing the second penalty more than 30 laps after his pitstop.

“I think it’s more an FIA poor show today, more than disappointment for ourselves,” he said then.

“You can’t apply a penalty 35 laps after the pitstop. They had enough time to really inform about the penalty. If I knew that, maybe I open 11 seconds to the car behind. Today we didn’t put on a good show, I think, for our fans.

“They told me just five seconds in the first stint and I opened seven or eight. Then in the second there was no information at all, not even investigated.”

The reversal meant Mercedes driver George Russell dropped back to fourth after appearing in the post-race news conference as third-placed finisher.

“The penalty on Fernando was harsh. They are deserving podium finishers today but I’ll take an extra trophy,” he said earlier.

Sergio Perez won the race from pole position in a Red Bull one-two with Max Verstappen staying top of the championship after racing from 15th to second with the fastest lap.

Double Formula One world champion Verstappen snatched the bonus point from Perez with a last-lap blast around Jeddah’s floodlit Corniche street circuit that left him a point clear of the Mexican.

The result was Red Bull’s second one-two in as many races this season but a reverse of the March 5 opener in Bahrain.

Perez had also started on pole last year before ending up fourth after an unfortunate safety car, but this time he made it stick despite another such intervention.

Verstappen now has 44 points, Perez 43 and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso 30.

Red Bull have 87 points in the constructors’ standings with Aston Martin and Mercedes level on 38.

There were more than a few fireworks in our second race of the season! 🎆#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/WqMHL1lAqW

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 19, 2023

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Sports

T20 World Cup 2026: STARTRADER named official partner of UAE national cricket team

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2 weeks ago

January 16, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The UAE Men’s National Cricket Team is heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a major boost, as STARTRADER has been announced as its Official Partner for the global tournament.

The renewed partnership means STARTRADER’s branding will feature on the official UAE team jerseys throughout the World Cup, which kicks off on February 7, 2026, across India and Sri Lanka.

The agreement was signed in Dubai on Wednesday, January 14, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, including Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad, ECB Board Member Zayed Abbas, STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten, and UAE Men’s Captain Muhammad Waseem.

STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten said the collaboration builds on the company’s earlier sponsorship of the UAE team during the Asia Cup, but with an even stronger commitment this time around.

“We know that cricket has a way of reminding us what commitment, trust and growth can achieve,” Karsten said.

“Continuing this partnership reflects our belief in long-term support for communities and in the human spirit driving both the game and the markets.”

He added that the partnership mirrors STARTRADER’s core values, where trust in strategy and teamwork plays a vital role in achieving sustainable growth, whether on the pitch or in global markets.

STARTRADER is regulated by five international authorities, including the SCA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA and FSC, reinforcing its focus on transparency, trust and long-term growth for its clients.

Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad welcomed the renewed partnership, describing it as a relationship that goes beyond sport.

“We are delighted to welcome STARTRADER as our Official Partner for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” he said.

“This partnership reflects shared values of discipline, focus and resilience, and aligns perfectly with our vision as the UAE team continues to perform on the world stage.”

Sports

Dubai named permanent opening city for new global beach volleyball series

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2 weeks ago

January 15, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai is about to serve up something big on the global sports stage. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) has announced Dubai as the permanent opening destination of its brand-new international championship, the Beach World Series, which will launch for the first time in November 2026.

The announcement was made during the World Sports Summit, following the signing of a five-year strategic partnership between the Dubai Sports Council and FIVB, a move that further cements Dubai’s reputation as a leading host of major global sporting events.

A new model for global sport

Under the agreement, Dubai will become the first city in the world to host a permanent opening stop of the Beach World Series, setting a new benchmark for global championships that combine elite competition with entertainment, culture, and fan engagement.

The series introduces an innovative format that blends high-level beach volleyball with music, interactive experiences, and a vibrant beach atmosphere, offering something beyond traditional sporting events.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of senior officials from the Dubai Sports Council, with signatures from Guido Betti, Chief Business Officer of Volleyball World, and Eisa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council.

Ten global destinations

The Beach World Series will span 10 international destinations, each bringing its own identity and local flavour to the competition. Dubai’s role as the opening city positions it at the heart of this global journey, showcasing beach volleyball as both an elite sport and a shared cultural experience.

Additional host cities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the Beach World Series expands across globally recognised sports and entertainment hubs.

Sports

Trophies, belts and cash prizes: Inside the ILT20 Season 4 grand finale

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3 weeks ago

January 6, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Fireworks, flair and firsts, DP World ILT20 Season 4 delivered a finale to remember as the Desert Vipers lifted their maiden title, crushing MI Emirates by 46 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.

While the trophy glittered, the spotlight also shone brightly on the league’s iconic signature belts, with star performances keeping fans guessing right up to the final ball.

Leading the charge was Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran, who produced a season for the ages, sweeping both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and the Green Belt (Best Batter). Calm under pressure and devastating with the bat, Curran’s unbeaten 74 in the final sealed the Vipers’ historic triumph and underlined his status as the league’s standout performer.

The Vipers walked away not just with silverware but a $700,000 winners’ purse and the Black Belt, while runners-up MI Emirates earned $300,000 for another strong campaign.

Red Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)

Curran piled up 397 runs, while snapping seven wickets, taking 10 catches and finishing with a tournament-high 691 points. It was dominance, delivered with leadership.

Green Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)

With 397 runs at a strike rate of 135, Curran topped the batting charts, smashing 17 sixes and proving clutch when it mattered most.

White Belt: Waqar Salamkheil (Dubai Capitals)

Spin wizard Waqar Salamkheil claimed the bowling honours with 18 wickets at an economy of 7.66, earning his second White Belt in ILT20 history.

Blue Belt: Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates)

UAE stalwart Muhammad Waseem continued his incredible run, securing the Blue Belt for a fourth straight season after scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 132.

With unforgettable moments, top performances, and a champion crowned, DP World ILT20 Season 4 once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world of cricket.