ABU DHABI: Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al-Qemzi expects to step up his challenge for a record fifth UIM F2 World Championship title when the series returns to Norway at the weekend after a gap of five years.
After three days of rigorous testing in Italy this week, defending champion Al-Qemzi and team-mate Mansoor Al-Mansoori are determined to shake off a disappointing start to the season in Brindisi last month, where they were hit by technical problems.
Team manager Guido Cappellini and his mechanics are using three days of training in San Nazzaro to get the two drivers and their boats in top condition ahead of Sunday's Norwegian Grand Prix in Tonsberg.
“It wasn't the start we wanted, but that's behind us now and we expect to be in a much better position to challenge for victory this weekend,” said Al-Qemzi, who fought his way to first place in sixth place. the end of the tour, while Al-Mansoori suffered an early retirement.
“Everyone has worked hard to make sure we have the chance to get the results we want and we know we can get them together.
“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.”
Back in the driver's seat after a long absence from motor racing, Britain's Matthew Palfreyman leads the championship from Lithuania's Edgaras Riabko and Portugal's Duarte Benavente.
Al-Qemzi, who finished second the last time the championship visited Tonsberg in 2019, remains characteristically confident he can add to his four F2 world titles this season despite the intense competition now evident on display.
“You can see in Brindisi that there are many good drivers who want to win and it will be very difficult for anyone to take the championship this year,” he said.
“I want to be in a good position to win on Sunday and Mansoor wants to be with me fighting for points. So the first target is to be on the pace when qualifying starts on Saturday and build from there.”
