Rashed Al Qemzi set the early pace for the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in dramatic style today as the UAE capital welcomed the UIM F2 World Championship for the first time.
Al Qemzi, who clinched the UIM F2 world title at the previous round in Portugal, set the fastest time in free practice with a brilliant late burst at the end of a two-boat charge on home waters.
Having begun the session in the boat Team Abu Dhabi are testing for next year’s championship, the Emirati driver was lying third behind Norway’s Tobias Munthe-Kaas and Portugal’s Duarte Benavente with time running out.
But after switching to the boat he’ll use in tomorrow’s qualifying session and Saturday’s Grand Prix, Al Qemzi clocked the fastest time on his penultimate lap and then improved the time again seconds before the session concluded.
Leading times:
1. Rashed Al Qemzi UAE 45.25 secs
2. Tobias Munthe-Kaas NOR 45.53
8. Duarte Benavente POR 45.90
4. Owen Jelf GBR 46.46
5. Uvis Slakteris LAT 46.52
6. Ferdinand Zandbergen NL 46.87
7. Edgaras Riabko LT 46.96
8. Héctor Sanz SPA 47.37
9. Stefan Hagin GER 47.53
10. Stefan Hagin GER 47.57