New Far Eastern venue proves a winner
Ahmed Al Hameli completed a hat-trick not only by setting the fasted time in the pre-race pole practice session but also winning both heats of the Nations Cup at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix on Marina Bay over the weekend.
The fourth placing of his teammate Majed Al Mansoori’s gave the pair from the UAE the overall team trophy ahead of their Middle East rivals representing Qatar.
“We are delighted with our drivers,” said American team manager Scott Gillman. “Ahmed is really on top of his game at the moment and he was well supported by Majed who has been doing a great job for us in various series for many years. Overall I think it was a good event for everyone and I think Nations Cup has a big future.”
Singapore is a new venue for Formula 1 racing and likely to become a part of the world series next year. The Nations Cup was therefore a contest designed to prove the circuit which was well received by all crews taking part.
Despite a heroic effort by Team Qatar’s Khalid Al Shamlan, who achieved a second and an impressive third placing, alongside team mate Khalid Al Kuwari making his international racing debut, the pair missed out on overall success by just four points.
“We did everything that we could but in the end it was not quite enough, but to have both of us on the podium was a great effort and a very good result for the team,” said Al Shamlan.
Despite atrocious weather, with thunder and torrential rain sweeping across Marina Bay, the twenty drivers from ten countries produced spectacular racing with the final 45-lap race interrupted by three crash-enforced yellow flag sessions.
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