Team Abu Dhabi drivers in second and third place

Lahti: Team Abu Dhabi drivers Ahmad Al Hameli and Thani Al Qamzi turned on the pace on Saturday to finish second and third respectively behind Guido Cappellini and will start today's UIM F1 World Championship's Grand Prix of Lahti in that position.

While Al Qamzi topped the chart after the two time trials, it was a magical comeback for the younger Al Hameli who was virtually out of contention after a capsize in the first time trial.

But the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed driver not only came back but set the pace with a red-hot display to be clocked at 40.87 secs.

That set the crucial six-boat shoot-out on Lake Vesijarvi afire and it took another terrific display by Cappellini who bettered Al Hameli with a timing of 40.78, narrowly depriving the Abu Dhabi driver from a Pole victory.

Later Al Qamzi ensured Team Abu Dhabi stole the limelight on the opening day in front of thousands of Finnish fans when he finished third to keep the pressure on Cappellini today.

Earlier it was a dramatic comeback into the top six and the shootout for Al Hameli after a crash almost sent him out of the reckoning.

In the first of the two timed trials, Al Hameli inexperience saw the 2007 Rookie of the Year award winner speed into the waves caused by the boat in front and the capsize left the boat partly damaged and the Emirati with minor bruises.

Rebuilding

He was in 6th position but the Team Abu Dhabi crew rebuilt his boat in time for the second time-trial and Al Hameli roared back into contention with a 7th place finish.

However Italian Massimo Roggerio who finished third was disqualified for hitting two buoys.

According to the rules a driver can hit one buoy for which he is fined but two strikes and the driver is disqualified.