Nasser al-Attiyah who has graced the podium in each of the two rounds he has competed in, currently sits fourth in the Silver Michelin category with 44 points.
Agencies/Doha
Qatari sporting legend Nasser al-Attiyah is targeting the Silver Michelin trophy victory at the Bahrain International Circuit for Round 6 on March 7 and 8 as his debut season in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East comes to a thrilling close. Driving for Team QMMF (Qatar Motor & Motorcycling Federation), the all-round sporting great, who has graced the podium in each of the two rounds he has competed in, currently sits fourth in the Silver Michelin category with 44 points. Swiss driver Antonio Giancola leads the group by 39 points with two races to go at the home of regional motorsport, Bahrain.
With a legendary status in rally and the Olympic Games, al-Attiyah is hoping to add the Silver Michelin trophy to his already impressive range of medals and titles and also imprint his name in Porsche folklore. Now al-Attiyah is looking to use his experience and knowledge of motorsport to put pressure on Giancola and claim a memorable scalp in his maiden season.
Speaking ahead of the final round, al-Attiyah said: “The Silver Michelin Trophy is definitely a realistic target but of course there is a huge amount of work to do. I have been on many terrains around the world and have achieved victory against the odds. I am in a similar position here, trailing from behind and gunning for the title. Giancola has been superb throughout the season, but in motor sport anything can happen. Pressure is a great divide between winning and losing and that is sure to be the case in Bahrain. One mistake and everything you have worked for all season can change in a matter of seconds.”
Not one to be afraid from a challenge in sport, Attiyah has been a revelation since his introduction to the season on home territory at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar and driving for the first time in the series and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. He will be using all his wealth and experience to bring home the title and sign off a memorable campaign.
“It has been a fantastic experience and I have learnt every time I have stepped into the car. Since my first drive in Qatar this has all been a build-up for next season and also getting used to the world-class circuits we drive in across the region. Hopefully with all this experience and knowledge I have gained, I will be better prepared next season,” added al-Attiyah.
Al-Attiyah will be part of a breathtaking final round of the season with all three categories up for grabs. Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani heads into Round 6 leading the overall championship standings by three points (199 points) from reigning champion Clemens Schmid and former winner Abdulaziz AlFaisal, who will be looking for an unprecedented third title.
The region’s most professional racing series is 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 Race 1 Round 5 – Top 6: 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 Race 1 Round 5 – Top 3: 1st Al Nabooda Racing (UAE) 342; 2nd Saudi Falcons (KSA) 320; 3rd Skydive Dubai Falcons (UAE) 310