AlKass Digital
Doha, Qatar- It was another perfect weekend for the defending Qatar Touring Car Championship (QTCC) winner Abdulla Al Khelaifi who posted another double at Losail International Circuit (LIC).
In the first race, Al Khelaifi, who started from pole position, took the lead from the start to the checkered flag and emerged the winner in front of newcomer driver Ghanim Al Maadheed with a gap of 1.398 seconds.
The third place in the podium was secured by Hamad Al Sulaiti. Mohammad Al Khaiat finished fourth and Hamad Al Asam in fifth place. Ahmed Al Asiri had a problem with his tyres and could not finish the race.
In the second race, with the reverse grid in play, Al Khelaifi after an intense battle finished ahead of Al Asiri. The third place went to Al Khaiat while Al Maadheed finished fourth. After the race, Al Khelaifi was very happy with another double victory.
“The first race was nice with a bit of difficulties with the wind but I had an exciting lap with Al Asiri. Unfortunately for him, he had an incident and left the track so I was saved from battling with him. From that point I was only controlling the race,” Al Khelaifi said.
“The second race was much more exciting as I started from last position due to the reverse grid. As Al Asiri didn’t finish the first race, he started from the pole position and managed to build a big gap. I managed to pass almost everyone easily except him but I passed him in the seventh lap and retained my lead,” he added.
Al Maadheed, who finished second in the first race, was very happy with his first podium.
“This is my first time in this championship and although the car is not ready, this second position is great. Hopefully for the next round, we can prepare the car in a better fashion. For the second race, starting second from the back was very difficult to reach the front as some slow cars were blocking the way but it is okay. My new lap time record also makes me happy,” Al Maadheed added.
“In the second race, I had a good start. I thought that Abdulla will fight eventually so I wanted to widen my gap but when he shadowed me, I pushed very hard and we battled for seven laps but at the end he passed me and won again,” Al Asiri said.
“In the first race, I started from the sixth place and I jumped for the second place in the third lap but unfortunately I had a problem in the turn 10 so I was pushed back to fourth position and I stayed there until the end. For race two, I started in the fourth position and we jumped for the second position but the Honda cars on the straight line are faster and I finished third. I hope for the next round I have more time to work on the car and make better results,” Al Khaiat said.
After the second round, Al Khelaifi leads the standings with 64 points. Al Khaiat is second with 39 points and Al Asiri is third with 36 points. Ghanim Al Maadheed is fourth with 35 points. The trophies were presented by QMMF President Abdulrahmam Al Mannai and Khalid Al Remaihi, the LCSC Vice President and General Manager.
The next round of QTCC will be held on Jan 25 and 26.