ABU DHABI: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi is aiming for a flying start to the new season in Italy at the weekend as he launches his bid to become the first five-time winner of the UIM F2 World Championship.

The Emirati driver currently shares the distinction of having four F2 world crowns with Erik Stark.

“I really want to be the five-time world champion,” said Al-Qemzi, who tests a new boat over three days in San Nazzaro ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix of Italy in Brindisi.

“I hope everything works well, and that I’ll be fighting for the title again. At times, I do feel under pressure. Some drivers start the season very fast, and it can be tough. But if I win the first race, that puts me in a strong position, and that’s what I have done each year that I’ve taken the title.”

Team Abu Dhabi again pair Al-Qemzi with Mansoor Al-Mansoori, who finished fifth in last year’s championship after taking third place on the podium in 2022.

The duo were team-mates in Abu Dhabi’s 2021 World Endurance Championship triumph, which had a major impact on Al-Qemzi, who was also part of the 2019 title-winning lineup.

“I’ve changed a lot as a driver because of all the experience I’ve gained in F2 over the last few years,” he said. “But my experience in endurance racing made the biggest difference.

“I was driving for 1 hour, 50 minutes at a time in the 12-hour and 24-hour races as part of a team that beat the best in the world to take the championship.”

His F2 success last year brought Team Abu Dhabi’s 17th world championship title since powerboat racing legend Guido Cappellini took charge in 2015. Al-Qemzi says the Italian has had a huge influence on his career.

“Guido is always there for me, and helps in many ways,” he said. “If I can’t find a good balance on the boat, I go to see him and he finds a solution.”