Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East front-runner Al Faisal Al Zubair delivered the perfect end to an almost perfect season at Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday, with another superb race performance helping him win the prestigious Silver Cup title at his first attempt.
After a highly entertaining battle at the front of the field during the final race of the season, running as support to the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, the Muscat driver went on to finish in fourth overall and take his sixth Silver Class victory, as well as his ninth GCC Rookie Class success.
“It was probably the most fun race I’ve ever done”, said Al Faisal, “The top four were all bunched up and there was some amazing racing, this has definitely been the best way to finish the championship for me. Winning the race on Saturday outright for the first time was obviously amazing, but to win the Silver Cup championship is very special.
“Winning the GCC Rookie title was great, but the Silver Cup was what we wanted. After my win in race one, it meant we could finish fourth in race two and it would be enough to take the Silver title – I’m really happy and want to say a huge thank you to my family and everyone at Lechner Racing for their support. It’s been a fantastic season.”
Throughout round 12, which took place immediately before the Formula One race in Bahrain on Sunday, Muscat racer Al Faisal was in the thick of the action with Gold drivers Ryan Cullen, the overall champion for the 2016/2017 season, Dylan Pereira and Charlie Frijns.
Lining up third on the grid, Al Faisal was edged back to fourth place but ran comfortably in the lead group which pulled well clear of the chasing pack – underlining the Omani’s impressive level of pace and excellent racecraft.
His quest to become the Silver Cup champion was made that bit easier due to problems for chief rival, and erstwhile class leader, Bandar Alesayi who retired on lap one. In the end, after 10 pulsating laps of the Grand Prix venue, Al Faisal took the flag just 0.4 seconds shy of his second outright podium of the weekend and over 11 seconds clear of the next competitor.
Marking himself out as a very real rising star of Middle Eastern motorsport, Al Faisal has certainly impressed in his debut season of Porsche racing. With his double championship success still fresh in the mind, attention also turns to the next rung on his career ladder.
“We’ll hopefully confirm what we’re doing next very soon”, commented the teenager, “It’s been a great season in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, the championship is the biggest and best we have in the Middle East and I’m very proud to have been part of it.”
