Jeddah:For Saudi racing driver Faisal Alkabbani, motorsports has been a passion since childhood. Over more than 16 years, that passion has taken him from karting to various categories of car racing, earning him championship titles and record-breaking performances along the way. His latest achievement came in 2026, when he retained the Saudi Toyota Championship Time Attack title for the second consecutive year. The title was decided at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where Faisal edged out his closest rival by just 0.035 seconds in a closely contested final round. The narrow margin capped a season in which the leading drivers were separated by fractions of a second.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Faisal's connection to motorsports dates back to his earliest years. Faisal still keeps drawings he made at the age of four, reminders of the childhood interest that would eventually become a competitive pursuit. He made his karting debut in 2010 at a championship held at Reem International Circuit in Riyadh. Over the years, he progressed through various racing categories, including Formula 4, gaining experience and developing the skills needed to compete across disciplines.
His career reached several milestones in 2024, when he secured the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East title and recorded two victories in the Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian Championship. In 2025, he claimed both the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb and Time Attack titles before successfully defending the latter in 2026.
In the opening round of the 2026 Time Attack championship, Mamoun Amr Alkabbani took first place with a championship-record time of 1 minute and 12.279 seconds, finishing just 0.021 seconds ahead of Faisal. Faisal returned to the top in the second round, setting a new record of 1 minute and 11.377 seconds and beating his closest rival by just 0.009 seconds. In the final round at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, he lowered the record again to 1 minute and 10.933 seconds, securing the title for the second consecutive year.
Reflecting on the achievement, Faisal said the 0.035-second margin and his new record reflected the strength of the competition and the effort invested throughout the season. He added that time attack racing demands concentration, precision, and preparation, as even the smallest fractions of a second can make the difference. Faisal also spoke about his lifelong passion for motorsports and his determination to continue improving his performance. "Motorsports has always been a passion for me," he said, explaining that every competition offers something new to learn and an opportunity to improve. He also expressed hope that more men and women would participate in the sport.
Despite the titles he has already won, Faisal continues to set his sights higher. He hopes to compete in European GT3 championships and represent Saudi Arabia in competitions featuring some of the world's leading drivers. Sixteen years after his first race, Faisal has turned a childhood passion into a career marked by championship titles and record-breaking performances. His latest success marks another step forward as he pursues new challenges and ambitions.