Al Qubaisi vows to raise UAE's profile in motorsport

Abu Dhabi: The UAE's Khalid Abdullah Al Qubaisi believes his calling is to help his country gain a more prominent place in the world of motorsport.

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver only came into the sport two years ago, making his place in the competition's top ten this season a real achievement.

"I am proud to be flying the UAE flag," he told Gulf News.

"This is a very high-profile championship and it's like we are ambassadors of our country wherever we go anywhere in the world while chasing our passion for racing.

"The last two years have been really great for me while competing in this series, both from my country's point of view and from a personal angle as well."

Al Qubaisi's lack of experience means he has learned things the hard way and he would love to pass those lessons on to the next generation of Emirati drivers.

"It's such a great feeling to be competing in a high league of motorsport," he said. "The Supercup is really like the Champions League in one-make car series. To have Team Abu Dhabi and the fact that I am an Emirati racing in this team is really great and I would love this to pass on to the next generation."

Al Qubaisi admits his learning curve was steep.

"It was all too sudden," he said. "One should take two to three years to come through the lower ranks and then get into a high class.

"It is not an easy challenge to come all of a sudden and race against drivers who have been driving all their lives, possibly since they were five or six years old.

"Those who start from a much earlier age stand a better chance. If you want to see a Formula One driver in the next ten to 12 years then we have to start with someone who is seven years old today."