Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi has set himself up to reclaim the lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship by securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Italy.

In a successful day for Team Abu Dhabi, Mansoor Al Mansoori qualified in second place after winning the Q1 and Q2 sessions and leading the Q3 shoot-out before being edged out by his team-mate.

Defending F2 world champion Al Qemzi, aiming for a record fifth title, is just four points behind Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who will start in fifth place. Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, who won the previous round in Lithuania, is tied on points with Al Qemzi but will start behind the two Abu Dhabi boats from third place.

This sets the stage for an exciting race day in San Nazzaro, with the championship battle intensifying ahead of the final two rounds in Portugal next month.

Al Qemzi, who won in San Nazzaro last year en route to his fourth F2 title, was the fastest in this morning’s practice session, while Riabko and Wiberg placed eighth and third respectiv
ely. Al Mansoori set the fifth fastest time before moving to first place in Q1 and clocked the fastest lap in Q2 to advance to the six-boat shoot-out.

In Q3, Al Mansoori set the best early lap but was ultimately edged out by Al Qemzi, who now holds the advantage heading into tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Source: Emirates News Agency