Team Bahrain target consolidation in Round 10 of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Losail International Circuit
Team Bahrain is looking to consolidate their challenge in Round 10 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East after Mohammed Mattar finished in sixth position in Round 9 at Losail International Circuit.
The talented Bahraini finished in the top six on the 15-car grid, producing a fine final lap in a race won by championship leader Clemens Schmid.
Mattar, who was involved in a pulsating midfield battle throughout the 12-lap race, producing a clinical final lap, by overtaking Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani to claim a top six position and continue his challenge in the Silver Michelin category, said: “I could not break away from the midfield, as myself, Karim Al-Azhari and Ashkanani were fighting for positions. But I had to take a risk in the final lap and overtake Zaid, which worked perfectly for me. I am continuing to challenge for the Silver Michelin category and I will have to produce my best in Round 10 to stay in contention for the trophy.”
Mattar’s team-mate Jaber bin Ali Al Khalifa, who came second in the Mobil Bronze category was happy with his performance and will be looking for the same in the next round.
“It was quite tight and tough out there. We lost three drivers in the first lap and I held my nerve to move away from the pack and claim a podium position in the Bronze category. In Round 10 I am looking to move higher up the table and collect some valuable points for the team,” he added.
Schmid once again produced a flawless race to grab maximum points on the 5.38km Losail International Circuit, defying challenges from adversary Abdulaziz AlFaisal, second and Germany’s Markus Pommer in third.
“In an action-packed night-time race, where three drivers were forced out of the race in the first lap, Schmid was never threatened by Abdulaziz and Pommer as he accelerated his lead with each lap and marched on to claim his seventh victory in nine rounds by 7.815 seconds. With the top two sorting themselves out, Pommer and Saudi Falcons Faisal Binladen were engrossed in a battle to claim the third podium position,” speaking after winning his seventh round of the fourth season of the championship, Schmid said.
Starting second on the grid, Pommer lost his position in the early stages of the race to Binladen, but regained it at the halfway stage of the 12-lap race to claim third place. The battle to complete the top-six was just as pulsating with Al Nabooda Racings Karim Al-Azhari, Binladen, Mattar and Ashkanani battling for positions.
UAE’s Al-Azhari produced a fantastic final lap to overtake Binladen and Ashkanani to claim fourth place, with Binladen seeing off the challenge of Ashkanani to finish fifth, while Mattar jostled with the Kuwaiti and piped him into sixth place.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East championship standings after Round 9 are: 1st Clemens Schmid (203 points, 2nd Abdulaziz AlFaisal (195 points), 3rd Karim Al-Azhari (161 points).
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Team Standings after Round 9 are: 1st Al Nabooda (364 points) 2nd Saudi Falcons (341 points), 3rd Team Bahrain (287 points).