Bahraini Star Aims For Another Victory Parade In Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Salman salutes investment in Yas Marina Circuit as Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East heads for UAE capital

Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the first ever race winner at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, hopes the venue will bring out the best in him again when he returns to action there next month in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

The 2005 Formula BMW Asia champion believes he can still land the new one-make Porsche title despite a disappointing start to the season on home territory last month, and he is relishing the big race weekend ahead in the UAE capital on February 5-6.

“You get a great feeling to be able to drive on such a modern track which was built and prepared to most modern standards,” he said. “It’s like going shopping and somebody else is paying.”

“This was a huge investment by the Abu Dhabi government and it has added another dimension to the sport in this region.

“As drivers we need to do what we can to make people understand how important this is and what opportunities have been created, and encourage other governments to invest, as Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have.”

After managing only a fourth place finish when the Porsche GT3 Cup series, sponsored by Michelin and Mobil 1, made its Middle East debut at Bahrain International Circuit, Sheikh Salman fought back with two second places at Reem International Circuit outside Riyadh earlier this month.

While that still left him 28 points behind Saudi’s championship leader, Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal, the Bahraini star feels he is still in the hunt for the title and wants to boost his challenge with a strong showing in rounds five and six in Abu Dhabi.

“I’m confident that I have the ability and the skills needed to win this championship,” said Sheikh Salman, who drove into the record books as the winner of the first race run at the Yas Marina Circuit last November, during the Supercars Middle East Championship.

“It’s going to be an uphill battle given the results so far. Prince Abdulaziz has driven faultlessly and I have to commend him for that. He has raised the bar for me in terms of the performance and consistency I’m going to need. If everything is lined up on his side it’s difficult to beat him.

“To take on a driver like Abdulaziz you have to understand what you are up against and make sure you’re prepared in every aspect of your approach.

“I was taken out in the first race of the series which meant we have not been on and equal playing ground, and while I would never wish any bad luck on another driver, clearly I need to take any chances that come my way and get ahead of him.”

After winning three out of four races so far in the 12-round Porsche GT3 Cup series, Prince Abdulaziz heads for Abu Dhabi in a confident mood, with his closest challenger being his cousin and team-mate, Prince Khalid Al Faisal, followed by another Saudi driver, Bandar Alesayi.

Rounds 5 and 6 share the stage in Abu Dhabi with the GP2 Asia series and the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Championship, while rounds 7 and 8 follow at the Yas Marina Circuit on February 19-20.

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