DUBAI — Mohammad Al-Saud stood on the Dubai Autodrome podium for the second time this weekend, after securing a second place podium in the Bronze Category. The Saudi driver finished in 14th in Round 3 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, and will be looking ahead to Yas Marina Circuit to continue his form this weekend. The intense battle for the driver categories and overall championship remains remarkably close, as Oman’s Al-Faisal Al-Zubair took a deserved victory to complete Round 3 at the Dubai Autodrome. Al-Zubair controlled the 14-lap race from the front to push main rival and championship leader Tom Oliphant into second place. The returning Dylan Pereira of Luxembourg crossed the line in third. The result narrows the gap in the overall standings with Britain’s Oliphant (144 points) now only six points clear of Al-Zubair (138) at the half way point in the series. Dutch driver Charlie Frijns (112) is third overall, courtesy of a fourth-place finish today Al-Zubair and Oliphant, the two standout drivers who have been engrossed in an epic tussle throughout Season 9, immediately renewed their sporting rivalry for the second time in consequence days. But on this occasion Al Zubair made amends for the mistake he made in the opening race and reversed the result from the previous day when Oliphant had claimed the win. For winner Al-Zubair the important and necessary victory appeared straightforward. He qualified quickest to take pole on the 17-car grid and led from the start to the finish, to win by a mere 0.732 seconds. Al-Saud qualified in 12th place on the Dubai grid, and demonstrated consistent and defensive driving to hold his position and finish in 12th. The results saw him stand on the 2nd place podium spot for the Bronze category. Commenting on his race, Mohammed Al-Saud said: “Today’s race was fun, but the weather was hotter. I had a battle with Tilke which was interesting throughout the race. He is a great driver, and he was able to overtake me in the last lap because the car locked, so I lost the position I had gained. I managed to finish P2 in the Bronze category — my target is to finish P1, but that’s still achievable. At Yas Marina Circuit, I will keep pushing for a better result. It is my first time racing there, but I think if I study the track right I can finish 1st in my category.” In one week the championship heads to the UAE capital, as Yas Marina Circuit hosts the region’s first and only professional series for Round 4 under the impressive lights. The seventh and eighth race of the twelve-race season will take place on Feb. 2 and 3. The final two rounds will be held in Bahrain, with the series coming to a thrilling conclusion as an official support race for the 2018 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. — SG