ABU DHABI: Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al-Qemzi will be hoping to step up his challenge for his fifth UIM F2 World Championship title when the series returns to Norway this weekend after a five-year hiatus.
After three days of tough testing in Italy this week, defending champion Al-Qemzi and teammate Mansoor Al-Mansoori are determined to put the disappointing start to the season in Brindisi last month behind them, where they were plagued by technical problems.
Team manager Guido Cappellini and his mechanics are using three days of preparation in San Nazzaro to get the two drivers and their boats in top shape before the Norwegian Grand Prix on Sunday in Tønsberg.
“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but that is now behind us and we expect to be in a much better position to fight for the win this weekend,” said Al-Qemzi, who fought his way to sixth place on the first lap while Al-Mansoori retired early.
“Everyone has worked very hard to ensure that we have a chance of achieving the results we want and we know that together we can achieve them.
“We know our team can get the best out of our boats and as drivers we need to make sure we match their hard work and get the best out of ourselves.”
After a long absence from powerboat racing, Briton Matthew Palfreyman is back in the driver's seat and leads the championship ahead of Lithuanian Edgaras Riabko and Portuguese Duarte Benavente.
Al-Qemzi, who finished second in the championship's last visit to Tønsberg in 2019, is as confident as ever that he can add another to his four F2 world titles this season, despite the obviously intense competition currently on display.
“You could see in Brindisi that there are many good riders who want to win and it will be very difficult for anyone to win the championship this year,” he said.
“I want to be in a good position on Sunday to go for the win and Mansoor wants to fight with me for the points. So the first goal is to be on the right pace in qualifying on Saturday and go from there.”
