Abu Dhabi: Young UAE motorsports stars Hamda Al Qubaisi and Rashid Al Dhaheri enjoyed meeting high-profile Formula One figures ahead of Sunday’s season-ending Formula One Eithad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Al Dhaheri, the seven-year-old Emirati karting prodigy dubbed ‘Little Alonso’ given his love of two-time world champion Fernando, met F1’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone and accompanied him on the starting grid at Yas Marina Circuit.
Al Qubaisi, meanwhile, was introduced to the former Williams test driver Susie Wolff, who gave the 13-year-old Daman Speed Academy driver a tour of the British team’s pits.
“It was great to meet Hamad,” Wolff, who retired from motorsport earlier this month after abandoning her dream to race in F1, said. “I’m really impressed with her progress and attitude.
“I have followed her latest results and would like to keep updated on these.”
“I’m so happy to meet Susie Wolff at the Grand Prix, her advice and encouragement mean a lot to me,” added Al Qubaisi. “I really hope to reach her level one day and be able to race in Formula One.”
Al Qubaisi, her team says, is one of the UAE’s most promising and exciting young racing drivers. The teenager has secured two wins and four podiums in the UAE’s 12-round national karting championship, the Rotax Max Challenge.
