ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 06:02 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

| Share |

Qatar top podium in Portugal

by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer  on Thursday, 19 June 2008

In one of the most exciting lap-to-lap duals in the past decade, Jay Price of the Qatar Team scored a popular first ever victory in the U.I.M. F1 World Championship.

Taking the chequers in front of thousands of race fans on the Arade River, Portugal, the Qatar team now sits at the head of the 2008 Championship leader board.

The 49-year old driver from New Orleans, Louisiana started fourth off the dock, but charged into second place after the first few laps. Price then set his sights on chasing down pole-sitter Ahmad Al Hameli of the Abu Dhabi Team.

Story continues below
advertisement

This sure beats the storms in Louisiana.

The young driver held point for three quarters of the 55 lap event, until Price worked his way past at the chicane.

"I knew that my set-up was going to work in these calmer conditions," Price commented after stepping from the podium. "It was just a matter of time until I pressured Ahmad. Now we know we have a winning package and will work harder to keep the championship lead. This sure beats being back home fighting off spring storms in Louisiana!"

For Al Hameli, a it was a bitter sweet experience, knowing he was in a position to win for most of the afternoon, only to finish runner-up at the end. "I was working quite well in holding off Jay, until I felt a vibration and I realised my propeller was missing part of a blade.

From that point on I couldn't hold the pace," said Ahmad. "I'm happy though because this is by far my best result. I feel good about picking up 15 points and was happy with the boat."

More disappointed with the weekend was Qatar's Ahmad Al-Fayyad; forced to sit out the race meeting, as the UIM officials refused to recognise the races that he had run in the United States recently.

He was not permitted to start the Grand Prix on the grounds that he had not completed sufficient races to qualify for his upgraded racing licence.

"We got the boat sorted out and the UIM permitted Yousef to carry out the practice this morning, but the American races were not recognised for licence purposes," added Al-Jaidah.

"Now we will take him to Abu Dhabi next week, so that he gains more experience and fulfils the necessary criteria to return to F1 at round three in Finland next month."

Points leader coming into the race, Jonas Andersson of Sweden, ended his day in a hurry - retiring on the first lap. Another possible race winner, Thani Al Qamzi of the Abu Dhabi Team also saw his dreams of victory disappear in a puff of smoke as, when chasing his teammate into the first corner on the first lap, his engine gave up the ghost.

The next race on the calendar is scheduled for the first weekend of June in Lahti, Finland which will be the fourth running of the Grand Prix in the country.

| Share |


READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Click here to post a comment


Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.


MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM

From  Current Issue

SHARE PRICE CHECK

RELATED STORIES

Formula 1
| 39 stories
  1. Rich man faster man
  2. Jenson Button to arrive in Abu Dhabi as World Champion
  3. Making it happen

RELATED LINKS

  1. Formula 1»

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Formula 1

  2. Culture & Society


Tell us your story

READER COMMENTS

  1. Dubai developers see negative press reports decline 07
    23 Nov ' 09 at 20:40
    Someone just said she'll never invest again in Dubai, that's because you don't have anything to invest anymore. Your impetuosity proved...   More  »
  2. Why I h8 junk txts 06
    23 Nov ' 09 at 22:23
    I have to disagree with the comment about junk mail in the UK. We registered with the Mail Preference Service (and Phone Preference...   More  »
  3. Fewer drivers killed on Dubai roads last year 04
    23 Nov ' 09 at 15:21
    Hi Mick, can I make a suggestion. If you travel with someone, then let him video this driver with your mobile. You can pass that onto...   More  »

Read all user comments >

Gitex 2009

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM