ABU DHABI — After the Saudi domination in Race 1 of Round 3 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, where Abdulaziz Al-Faisal and his younger brother Saud Al-Faisal joined fellow countryman Bandar Alesayi in occupying three of the top six spots, Race 2 at Yas Marina Circuit served up incredible action with racing legend Abdulaziz unable to clinch a podium finish having been involved in a heart-stopping bumper to bumper fight with Qatar’s Charlie Frijns, who narrowly finished ahead in third.
Speaking after the race, Abdulaziz said: “I am not happy with the finish here. I started in P3, so I should have at least maintained my position. The first three or four laps the car was very good and I was on the verge of pressing Zaid (Ashkanani, in third) in front of me, but then suddenly the tires really underperformed for a couple of laps. I am not sure why it happened but it felt like I lost the rear tires which forced me to drop off a little and opened up for Charlie (Frijns) to overtake me. After that the tires seemed to adjust and I managed to get back in the fight for third, but I just couldn’t get there. Overall I’m happy with the performance.”
The drama was also unfolding further down the pack with unfortunate ramifications for Saud Al-Faisal. Halfway through the exhilarating race, while sitting comfortably in fourth, Al-Faisal was forced off and dropped five places, a position from which he never managed to recover. Despite the misfortune, the Saudi racing prodigy still leads the Silver Category, while Al-Faisal Racing climb to second in the team competition in what is its debut season.
Round 3 marked the region’s leading one-make race series’ long-awaited return to Yas Marina Circuit after a three-year absence from the famed home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The stunning track is known for its technical turns and long straights which allow for plenty of overtaking opportunities.
As has been the theme of the season so far, championship leader Jeffrey Schmidt powered to his sixth consecutive victory of Season 7 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East with yet another pole-to-checkered flag victory — the sixth consecutive win and the second in quick succession here in Abu Dhabi. The Al-Nabooda Racing Team continues to dominate both the Driver’s Standings and the Team Championship, with newly signed teammate Zaid Ashkanani also in top form – finishing second in Race 2.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East now heads to Dubai for two rounds across January and February, closely followed by the return to Bahrain in early March which is set to be a thrilling end to Season 7.
