Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed grabs pole to bring another world title within reach

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi has a third UIM F2 world championship title within his grasp after claiming pole position in dramatic style for Sunday's final round of the series in Portugal.

The 2017 and 2019 F2 champion produced another scintillating display over the Tagus river course at Vila Velha de Rodao on Saturday to top qualifying for the second time in the space of eight days.

He goes into the concluding Grand Prix of Portugal trailing championship leader Edgaras Riabko by just two points, but now holding a big advantage over the Lithuanian who will start from 11th place on the grid.

It means that something less than victory could be enough to give Rashed another F2 title to take back to Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, although the Emirati will still be looking to round of the season with another win to make absolutely certain.

Team-mate Mansoor Al Mansoori qualified one place ahead of Riabko in 10th, and he will be looking for a repeat of his climb through the field in Ribadouro last weekend where he rose six places from the start to finish fifth.

Brimming with confidence after his win in Ribadouro, Rashed saved best for last in the seven-boat final qualifying shoot-out to set a stunning fastest time ahead of Portugal’s 2020 F2 world champion Duarte Benavente.

The Team Abu Dhabi duo had both looked comfortable earlier on in the afternoon’s free practice session, with Rashed cruising through it with the third fastest time, just ahead of Mansoori.