Team Abu Dhabi shine at Qatar Grand Prix

Doha, Qatar:  Team Abu Dhabi's Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmad Al Hameli yesterday finished fourth and fifth overall in the Grand Prix of Qatar Round 11 of this year's UIM F1 World Championship.

The result means that Al Qamzi takes a three-point lead in the UIM F1 Drivers' Championship to his home races in Abu Dhabi next weekend. Al Hameli is ranked ninth and Team Abu Dhabi remains firmly in control of the UIM Teams' Championship.

The second race in two days in Doha was won by Italian Guido Cappellini. The Como driver became Al Qamzi's closest challenger for the title, courtesy of his 61st Formula One career victory.

"It was a difficult race in tricky conditions on Doha Bay," Al Hameli said.

Priority

"The priority was to make sure that I put points on the board and I managed to nip back into fourth at the finish and stay ahead in the championship going back to Abu Dhabi."

Al Qamzi began the second Doha race with a seven-point lead in the UIM F1 Drivers' Championship, but he was fifth on the grid at the start of the race in his DAC behind Cappellini, Phillipe Chiappe, Jay Price and Fabio Comparato.

Al Hameli started at the rear of the field after his troubled qualifying session.

Team Abu Dhabi runs under the auspices of the ADIMSC and the management of Salem Al Rumaithi and Scott Gillman, with support from the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

RESULTS

Yesterday's 2009 Grand Prix of Qatar — Race 2 results

1. Guido Cappellini (I) Zepter Team 00.00.

2. Francesco Cantando (I) Singha F1 Racing Team at 0.92 seconds.

3. Phillipe Chiappe (F) F1 Atlantic Team at 2.50 seconds.

4. Thani Al Qamzi (UAE) F1 Team Abu Dhabi at 23.11 seconds.

5. Ahmad Al Hameli (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi at 26.67 seconds.

6. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad Croc F1 Team Woodstock at 28.06 seconds.

7. Pierre Lundin (S) Team CTIC China Teamat 35.05 seconds.

8. Jonas Andersson (S) Team Azerbaijan at 54.81 seconds.

9. Fabio Comparato (I) 800 Doctor Team 1 lap behind.

10. Duarte Benavente (P) F1 Atlantic Team 1 lap behind.