Manama : The opening race of the Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship, certified by the FIA, concluded today, Saturday, at the Bahrain International Circuit, delivering an action-packed start to the new season. Promoted by ALTAWKILAT Motorsport under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), the event featured intense on-track battles, high technical standards, and a strong crowd presence reflecting the growing momentum of this exciting entry-level category in motorsport.
At the conclusion of the opening round, an award ceremony was held at the Bahrain International Circuit to celebrate the standout performers of the weekend. The trophies were presented to the top three finishers by His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain International Circuit, who awarded 1st place to British driver Kit Belofsky (PEAX), Sherif Al Mahdy, Chief Commercial Officer of BIC, who presented the 2nd place trophy to Dutch driver Nina Gademan (CARAAGY), and Raad Abduljawad, Chairman of Saudi Diesel, who awarded 3rd place to Emirati driver Theo Palmer (JACO).
In addition, Saudi karter Leen Alarifi presented the Best Female Driver Award to Nina Gademan (CARAAGY), while Elsa Cammilleri, Sporting Coordinator for the Single-Seater Junior Categories, presented the Best Rookie Award to Kit Belofsky (PEAX). The ceremony reflected the championship’s growing diversity and its commitment to developing emerging talent within the motorsport world.
The race itself saw fierce competition throughout, including a mid-race safety car period that added further strategic tension and reshuffled the order before the final laps. Among the standout performers was Saudi driver Abdullah Kamel (ASTOP), who delivered an impressive drive to finish fourth, narrowly missing the podium after showing strong pace and consistency. His result highlighted the growing competitiveness of Saudi drivers, as all three Saudi participants in the championship drew widespread praise for their confidence, discipline, and steadily improving performances, demonstrating the continued rise of Saudi talent in both regional and international motorsport.
Earlier in the day, qualifying sessions determined the starting grid, with Theo Palmer (JACO) securing pole position, followed by Scott Kin Lindblom (Red Bull) in second and Kit Belofsky (PEAX) in third. Thibaut Ramaekers (Zahid) and Nina Gademan (CARAAGY) rounded out the top five in an intensely competitive session.
The second race of the opening round will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at the Bahrain International Circuit, before the series returns for Round 2 on October 15-16 at the same venue. Motorsport fans across the region can look forward to another weekend of competitive action as the championship continues to shape the future of single-seater racing in the Middle East.
