Saudi Falcons’ Abdulaziz AlFaisal sets sights on third Championship title as Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East goes down to the wire
With just one round to go in season five of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, two-time former champion Abdulaziz AlFaisal is aiming for an unprecedented third title as he heads to series closer just three points behind the championship leader, ahead of the two-race weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit on the 7th and 8th of March
After defending champion and previous series leader Clemens Schmid failed to score any points in Round 5, Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani took advantage to go top of the drivers’ standings with AlFaisal climbing up to joint second alongside Schmid.
Just three points separate the top three as the excitement ahead of the Bahrain finale reaches fever pitch. The drivers will go head to head with a possible 50 points on offer ensuring that the championship cannot be decided until the thrilling final race of the season.
Speaking ahead of the Bahrain showdown AlFaisal said, “This has been the toughest series yet and as we head into the final straight it’s obvious just how tight it is. The season has been a really rewarding one for us. We had work to do on the car from the start but I feel we have overcome obstacles and I’m now in a position to win the title. The guys I’m up against, Clemens and Zaid, are phenomenal drivers. We have enjoyed some good tussles over the season and it’s all going to come down to the last few races where I will be targeting the win. I want to take home the trophy for myself but also the guys on the team and everyone who has supported me. We have worked for the position we are in, it hasn’t come easily. Without a doubt I want to be the first driver to win the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East three times and if everything goes to plan, I will.”
Speaking ahead of the final round Walter Lechner, Manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East said: “Season five has been the best yet; the fastest, the closest and the most exciting. No one could have predicted how it would go and here we are on the brink of the final round with the overall leader just 3 points clear and two former champions tied for second. The standard of driving this year has been of the highest level and the top drivers have been all but inseparable. Bahrain is set to host one of the most exciting series finales ever witnessed in the Middle East.”
The region’s most professional racing series set to come to a thrilling climax at the Bahrain International Circuit for Round 6 on the 7th and 8th of March.
Overall championship standings after Round 5 – Top 6
| Name | Country | Team | Points |
1st | Zaid Ashkanani | Kuwait | Buzaid GT | 199 |
2nd | Clemens Schmid | UAE | Al Nabooda Racing | 196 |
2nd | Abdulaziz AlFaisal | KSA | Saudi Falcons | 196 |
4th | Hasher Al Maktoum | UAE | Skydive Dubai Falcons | 166 |
5th | Karim Al Azhari | UAE | Al Nabooda Racing | 150 |
6th | Saeed Al Mehairi | UAE | Skydive Dubai Falcons | 147 |
Overall Team Title standings after Round 5 – Top 3
| Name | Country | Points |
1st | Al Nabooda Racing | UAE | 342 |
2nd | Saudi Falcons | KSA | 320 |
3rd | Skydive Dubai Falcons | UAE | 310 |
