Prince Abdulaziz, runaway leader in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, and race newcomer Al Qubaisi, are among five drivers from the new one-make series who will be sharing the stage with stars like world F1 champion Jenson Button in Bahrain.
They have been handed special invitations to line up in the first two rounds of the 2010 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup taking place as part of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix race weekend on March 13-14 and see it as a great opportunity to test their driving skills at another level.
“It’s another important part of the learning curve and I’m always looking to develop as a driver so it will be very good experience,” said Prince Abdulaziz following a special day-long test session on the Grand Prix circuit yesterday.
Prince Abdulaziz has a commanding 45-point lead in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East which is sponsored by Michelin and Mobil 1 and was launched at Bahrain International Circuit back in December.
He won the opening round that weekend and then recorded four successive race victories as the series moved on, first to Reem International Circuit outside Riyadh, and then Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.
Another win in Abu Dhabi a fortnight later means that, barring any disasters, he looks assured of the Porsche GT3 Cup title, with Rounds 9 and 10 to be held at Reem on March 24-25 and the final two rounds taking place there the following week.
Tuesday’s testing in Bahrain was particularly valuable for Al Qubaisi who is contesting the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in full this year in addition to his GT3 Cup campaign.
“I’m very excited about the season ahead and while I’ve got a tough schedule ahead of me I have an opportunity to learn so much from competing in a world class racing series,” said Al Qubaisi.
Also looking forward to the Supercup races in Bahrain after taking part in Tuesday’s test day are Saudi’s Bandar Alesayi, currently, lying third in the Porsche GT3 Cup, fourth-placed Bahraini driver Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa, and talented teenager Fahad Algosaibi.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has been supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship since 1993 and is the world’s fastest and most spectacular international one make professional race series. Each round takes place before the Formula One race.