Mubadala Excellence Program to support first Emirati woman in Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship

Powerboat racer Alia Abdul Salam will accelerate to new success after being selected to join the Mubadala Excellence Program (MEP), a community initiative that supports talented individuals across the UAE in the field of sports, arts, culture, and innovation. As part of this milestone, Mubadala joins as the Title Partner for Alia’s 2025 Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship season.

Her participation marks a historic moment as the first Emirati woman to compete in the Formula 4 Powerboat World Championship, representing the UAE in upcoming international races in Sweden, Norway, and Italy. This is both a personal milestone and a meaningful reflection of the UAE’s growing presence in global sport, and a proud step forward for Emirati women competing in high-performance arenas.

Through the Mubadala Excellence Program, she will gain access to support that helps her pursue this passion with purpose, highlighting the program’s mission to unlock potential and foster meaningful community impact.

Launched in 2021, MEP is part of Mubadala’s commitment to nurturing local talent and contributing to a resilient, connected society.

Alia was raised in a sports-focused environment and inspired by her father, Abdul Salam Firooz, a former champion and longtime contributor to marine motorsports. From a young age, she was drawn to the water and began carving her path in the sport, steadily breaking barriers at the local level before stepping onto the global stage. Her journey is defined by ambition, discipline, and a strong commitment to growth.

Reflecting on her journey, Alia shared:

“My goal is to inspire the next generation of Emirati girls to pursue their passions, no matter the challenges. Joining this program provides me with a broader perspective, allowing me to learn from industry leaders and develop the skills I need to outshine in marine sports and beyond. Mubadala’s trust in me — and in the ability of Emirati women to succeed globally — is a powerful message, not just for me but for every young girl in the UAE dreaming of taking a different path.”

“Through this partnership, I hope to encourage more girls to enter the world of motorsports, motivate young people to pursue innovation, and raise the UAE flag high in the world of fast-paced marine sports. It is a privilege and an honour to have Mubadala as Title Partner for this journey.”

 

Career Highlights

• International Debut – Norway (2024): Secured fifth place in her first international Formula 4 race, competing against more than eight international contenders.
• UAE F4 Powerboat Championship – Round 1, Abu Dhabi: Achieved ninth place among 14 competitors, all young Emiratis and residents.
• Round 2, Khorfakkan: Demonstrated adaptability to changing marine conditions and secured seventh place.
• Round 3, Abu Dhabi: Delivered her strongest performance of the season, placing sixth and earning recognition for technical precision and race strategy.

The much-anticipated UIM F4 European Championship round scheduled for May 1–4 in Augustow, Poland, has been officially cancelled. A disappointing blow to the international powerboat racing community, the event was expected to feature an impressive lineup of over 25 boats from across Europe—stretching from Italy in the south to Finland and Latvia in the north.

The stage was set for a spectacular season opener. Finnish drivers, long regarded as podium regulars in F4, were joined by rising talents like Latvia’s Slakteris and Norwegian rookie Martinsen. French veteran Jean-Baptiste Thomas was also tipped as a strong contender for the top step of the podium.

But excitement turned to frustration when organizers, citing financial issues, announced the late cancellation. For many teams, it was too late to recoup costs.

UIM F4 Race Director Jeni Jelf expressed deep disappointment, acknowledging the significant logistical and financial preparations made by the 25 participating teams.

Three Countries, One Champion: 2025 UIM F4 World Championship Kicks Off

As the roar of high-powered engines echoes across serene waterways, excitement builds for the 2025 UIM F4 World Championship in powerboat racing. This year’s tournament promises thrilling speed, nail-biting finishes, and the crowning of a new champion as it unfolds across three stunning locations: Augustów, Poland; Mons, Belgium; and Viverone, Italy.

The sun shimmered brilliantly over the azure waters of Dammam as the Al Sharqiyah Grand Prix kicked off the first race of the Xcat World Championship’s final stretch. Anticipation was high among fans and teams alike, as every twist and turn of this race could prove crucial in determining the season’s ultimate victor.

The race roared to life with Offshore 222 seizing an initial lead. However, it was a short-lived triumph. Much to the dismay of their fans, Offshore 222 was disqualified for jumping the start, a decision that thrust Team GB into the limelight. With precision and power, Team GB harnessed this unexpected opportunity, commanding the lead with each passing lap, while HPI 96 Fujairah and Victory 7 vied fiercely behind them.

Holding a strategic fourth position, SweCat 2, the leading contender of the 2024 World Championship, was steering their course with determination. But in the lightning-fast world of powerboat racing, fortunes can turn in an instant. SweCat 2 soon found themselves embroiled in a high-speed incident, their engine cover shattered amidst the turmoil.

The damage was visible but not deterring. SweCat pushed forward, driven by their championship aspirations. Yet, by lap 11, the race director made a call, disqualifying SweCat out of measures due to the compromised engine cover. The Swedish/Norwegian team was directed back to the pits, their hopes of extending their championship lead dashed.

Refusing to accept defeat so easily, SweCat filed an official protest against the decision. Initially, their arguments bore fruit as the decision was overturned, offering a glimmer of hope to the team. However, this reprieve was short-lived. The officials, after further deliberation, reversed their decision yet again, leaving SweCat with zero points for the race. Their championship lead, once formidable, now teetered at a slim margin of just 7 points above HPI Fujairah.

PRW says :

It is frustrating when rules are applied differently to the teams from the officials. Will poor desitions earlier this year decide the World Championship series? Shouldn’t the rules be the same for all teams? One must trust that the new race director in charge now will enforce a more fair line than his predecessors, who apparently did not know the rules. Or did he ?

The list of questionable decisions historically is extensive in Xcat Worldchampionship, and teams like Team Abu Dhabi, Maritimo and Team 6 have claimed they left the championship for this reason.

The stakes have been set for the championship-deciding final rounds. SweCat, though still leading, will start 8th in the final Saudi Arabian race, a challenging position by any standard. Meanwhile, HPI Fujairah, buoyed by recent events, secured a second starting position, a tactical advantage they intended to exploit fully.

As the Xcat World Championship barrelled towards its December rendezvous in Dubai, the tension is palpable. With only three rounds remaining, the battle for the championship is as fierce as ever. Team GB, set to start off the pole later today, aims to capture their second victory of the year, their confidence riding the waves of recent success.

The Xcat World Championship remained wide open, the water shimmering with the promise of thrilling battles yet to come.