Rashid Al Dhaheri

Emirati Rashid Al Dhaheri, the region’s leading single-seat racing driver, competing in round 4 of the Italian F4 Series at the challenging Mugello circuit near Florence in Italy, achieved a main race podium, placing 3rd in Race 2 of the weekend, as well as recording the fastest lap of the race.

Rashid Al Dhaheri is again showing his world-class ability as he fought with the top international young drivers to bring his Prema Race Team car, under Yas Heat colours, home in third position to take his place on the winner’s podium. The day before, Rashid had set the second fastest time finishing second overall in the pre-race qualifying.

Last season Rashid was a regular fixture on the Rookie podium in the Italian F4 Championship. It is also worth mentioning that last season Al Dhaheri was one of the main drivers who often stood on the podium in all the championships in which he participated in Europe and Asia, and of course in his home country, the United Arab Emirates.

Last weekend’s podium is the first main race podium Al Dhaheri has achieved this season in Italy, and it follows on the many successes he has had in a career which has taken him from karting through to single seaters. The Italian F4 series is considered the toughest in the world and a feeder formula for F1, with over 36 aspiring drivers from more than 25 different countries. In his second race day of the two-day meeting, Al Dhaheri also finished in a points scoring position, rounding off a very successful weekend.

Commenting on his podium finish, Rashid Al Dhaheri said: "The weekend was quite decent. From the practice sessions through to the races I was consistently showing real pace, so I knew a strong finish was possible. Even after posting good times, it is still incredibly difficult to convert these into podium finishes. All the drivers and cars are separated by just a few hundredths of seconds, so I really had to fight hard to make sure I achieved my 3rd place finish. Now that I have tasted success in Italy, I cannot wait for the next race and I know that my family, friends and my great team will be fully behind me as we head to France for the next race.”

Round 5 of the Italian F4 Championship will take place on the 21st of July in South France at the famous Paul Ricard circuit, where Rashid will be hoping to get even higher up the podium.

WAM