Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi emerges

Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi delivered a polished and professional performance to finish fourth and clinch the UIM F2 World Championship title in Sunday's Grand Prix of Portugal on the Douro River.

The Emirati, running out of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), started the race from ninth place and gradually moved up the leader board to ensure that he secured enough points to deprive Swedish rival Pierre Lundin of the opportunity to make a late bid for the title. Lundin shadowed local driver and pole position winner Duarte Benavente from the start to the chequered flag, but second place was not enough to deprive a delighted Al Qemzi of his second world title in two season - the Emirati won last year's UIM F4-S Trophy.

"This is a special day for me and everyone within Team Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club," said Al Qemzi. "This title is for everyone who has supported me and to the whole team for all their efforts this season. I knew what I had to do. Losing Q3 because of the wind did not help at all, but I managed my race well and we have been rewarded with the World Championship."

Italy's Alberto Comparato finished third on the day and Frenchman Nelson Morin was fifth and managed to finish third in the championship standings. Mohammed Al Mehairbi started the race form 17th of the 18 starters in the second Team Abu Dhabi boat and moved up to 16th before succumbing to technical issues after 18 laps.

Source: Khaleej Times