Tuesday, 3 December, ABU DHABI (UAE): Rashed Al Qemzi and Mohamed Al Mehairbi will have to come from behind if they are to successfully defend and win a third UIM Nations Cup title for Team UAE.
The two young drivers are currently in third place on 81 points, 13 behind leader’s Russia and 8 adrift of Saudi Arabia.
But they face the added pressure of racing on home waters in this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 2013 Nations Cup decider, which starts today with official qualifying at 11.00hrs and the Match Race at 14.30hrs.
Al Qemzi and Al Mehairbi have shown that they are clearly two of the quickest drivers amongst the 13 drivers from seven countries that they will face, Al Qemzi winning both sprint races his teammate crashing out of race 1 when lying in second place, in Qatar in November.
Team Russia will again field a strong four-man squad bringing in two new drivers and will repeat the rotation system which worked so well in Qatar picking up four top-four points finishes to put them at the top of the standings.
Joining the teams from the UAE, Lebanon, Norway, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia who competed in Qatar are newcomers to Nations Cup, Italy and Venezuela.
2013 UIM Nations Cup overall standings:
1. Team Russia - 94pts
2. Team Saudi Arabia - 89pts
3. Team UAE - 81pts
4. Team Qatar - 79pts
5. Team Norway - 38pts
6. Team Lebanon - 20pts
Team Italy
Team Venezuela
Timetable:
Tuesday, 3 December
09.00-10.00hrs: Free practice
11.00hrs-12.00hrs: Qualifying for Match race & Sprint race 1
14.30hrs-16.30hrs: Match Race