Dubai. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal scored a commanding victory in Round 2 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai Autodrome today to take the lead in the one-make series.
After claiming pole position by setting the fastest time in the morning qualifying session, Prince Anbdulaziz led from start to finish and eventually won by almost ten seconds from fellow-Saudi Bandar Alesayi.
Making his debut in the Porsche GT3 Cup series this season, Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy grabbed the other podium position after Belgian driver Stephane Lemeret collected a time penalty for an infringement at the start, dropping him from second to fourth place.
Another Saudi driver, Saeed Al Mouri, and Austrian Andreas Mayerl, completed the top six. Just as he did in the first round, Qatar’s Saadon Al Kuwari won the Mobil 1 Trophy for drivers over the age of 45 after finishing eighth overall.
The Porsche GT3 Cup series now moves on to the UAE capital next weekend for Rounds 3-4 which are part of the official race support programme for the 2011 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
Round 2 results
1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons 23:45.228
2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Alesayi Racing 23:55.217
3. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing 23:55.475
4. Stephane Lemeret (UAE) Al Nabooda Racing 24:04.072
5. Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons 24:05.159
6. Andreas Mayerl (AUT) 24:05.311
7. Mark Thomas (CAN) 24:22.230
8. Saadon Al Kuwari (QA) 24:35.177
9. Hannes Waimer (GER) 24:49.007
10. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 24:49.257
Championship positions after Round 2
1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons 38pts
2. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Alesayi Racing 34pts
3. Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing 28pts
3. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing 28pts
5. Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons 22pts
6. Clemens Schmid (AUT) 20pts
7. Mark Thomas (CAN) 18pts
8. Sadoon Al Kuwari (QA) 16pts
9. Hannes Waimer (GER) 14pts
10. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing 10pts
10. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 10pts
10. Andreas Mayerl (AUT) 10pts
Mobil 1 Trophy
1. Sadoon Al Kuwari (QA) 40pts
2. Hannes Waimer (GER) 36pts
3. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing 28pts
4. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing 28pts
4. Rob Frijns (NL) 14pts
6. Manfred Ender (AUT) 14pts
7. Alain Muraour (F) 10pts
Captions:
1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal leads from the start into the first corner
2. The Saudi driver on the podium with second-place Alesayi and Al Harthy
3. Qatar’s Saadon Al Kuwari takes the Mobil 1 Trophy alongside Hannes Waimer
Hans Guido Riegel