Aramco Brings Formula 1® and Chinese Basketball Association Together at FORMULA 1 LENOVO CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2024: Partnering to Push the Limits of Possibility

From left to right: Jiang Jian, CBA League (Beijing) Sports Co. Ltd. General Manager; Yao Ming, CBA Chairman; Yasser M. Mufti, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers; and Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1® CEO
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Saleh Y. Al-Zaid, Aramco Asia President (R2), Nader Al-Arfaj, Aramco China Managing Director (R1), and Ashraf Fagih, Aramco Asia Vice President of Public Affairs (L2), joined Yao Ming, CBA Chairman (center) and Jiang Jian, CBA League (Beijing) Sports Co. Ltd. General Manager (L1) for a group photo at the court.

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® driver Fernando Alonso receives a Chinese commendation banner from CBA players during the event. From left to right: Liu Guanyu (fan); Wang Lanyi (CBA player); Zeng Lingxu (CBA player); Fernando Alonso; Ashraf Al Fagih (Aramco Asia Vice President of Public Affairs); Ding Yanyuhang (CBA player); and Lin Wei (CBA player)

Yao Ming, CBA Chairman, and Zhou Guangyu, Chinese Formula One® racer, pose for a photo on the basketball court.

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has joined forces with Formula 1® and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to orchestrate an extraordinary inter-sport collaboration at the Shanghai International Circuit Paddock during the FORMULA 1 LENOVO CHINESE GRAND PRIXTM 2024.

Over the four days of the Shanghai Grand Prix, drivers and mechanics from Formula 1® racing teams and renowned CBA players were invited to shoot hoops and participate in friendly competitions. The collaboration centered around the theme of “pushing the limits of possibility,” which is also showcased in Aramco’s partnership with Formula 1®. Aramco and Formula 1® focus on the development of sustainable fuels that F1® cars are planned to use from the 2026 season.

Rania Biltagi, Aramco Manager of Marketing, Partnership and Sponsorships, said: “We are thrilled to co-host this event with Formula 1® and CBA. It’s a momentous occasion for Aramco and our esteemed sporting partners to converge, exemplifying our common goal to inspire people to ‘push the limits of possibility.’ From driving global economies to energizing people's lives, Aramco strives to promote the positive values associated with sports. We believe that our collaboration with international sporting leagues like Formula 1® and CBA will create a lasting, positive impact in the world of sport, enriching lives and fueling competitive dreams.”

Jonny Haworth, Director of Commercial Partnerships, Formula 1®, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with our global partner Aramco to create such an engaging opportunity by bringing the world of the CBA into the Formula 1 Paddock. 2024 marks our 20th anniversary of racing in China, so this is a particularly special event. The collaboration with Aramco and the CBA gives fans the opportunity to test their skills and watch the drivers and basketball players test theirs.”

A spokesperson of CBA said: “Aramco has been a valued official partner of CBA since 2022. We appreciate Aramco for bringing CBA and Formula 1® together. This event serves as a testament to the shared sporting spirit between our two disciplines, igniting the passion of millions of racing and basketball enthusiasts across China.”

Yao Ming, CBA Chairman, and Jiang Jian, CBA League (Beijing) Sports Co. Ltd. General Manager, visited the paddock as VIP guests, engaging in discussions with Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1® CEO, and Yasser M. Mufti, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers.