Defending champ Al Azhari confident of continued dominance

Denzil Pinto 08:23 14/04/2016
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  • Runaway leader: Karim Al Azhari.

    The defending champion has been in dominant form this season with six race victories out of eight and it’s no surprise the German tops the standings with 144 points.

    Emiratis Mohammed Abdulghaffer Hussein and Shihab Al Fahim pose the biggest threat to Al Azhari, with the two sitting second and third with 124 and 106 points respectively.

    But with four races remaining ahead of the fifth and sixth rounds Friday and Saturday and with 80 points up for grabs at Yas Marina Circuit, the championship is still wide open.

    Many of his rivals have had little preparation for the two rounds, but Al Azhari has been busy spending as much time behind the wheel in Barcelona and Portugal during the testing sessions for the FIA GT3 Championship.

    Given he’s been in top form throughout the season, Al Azhari was quick to play down suggestions that would help him, but admits it will give him a slight advantage.

    “Having spent as much time behind the wheel as I have done recently is always my advantage,” he said. “The fact that I don’t spend the whole week sitting in a office and that I can put on a race helmet instead is pretty good.

    “Since the last round, I’ve travelled to Barcelona and Portugal and done some circuit activities but that is really for my higher racing programme.

    “I’m totally ready to continue my domination here.”

    Al Azhari, who was on the podium in both races in the fourth round in March, acknowledges his second consecutive title is within his grasp as long as he sticks to his game.

    “I’m pretty confident that I can win the TRD 86 Cup Championship as long as I don’t have a disastrous weekend,” he said.

    “Mentally, the pressure is definitely on me to a make mistake and throw away the championship. I’m prepared and have been in this position before, so it’s nothing new.

    “I will just go into the races with a cool head and keep calm. Once the race is on, I know what I have to work on and stay out of trouble. I’m well aware how quickly things can turn around in motorsport.”

    While he is wary of the other 10 drivers in the fray, he has been particularly impressed with Hussein and Al Fahim.

    “They are two good drivers and have been are right up my tail. They have overtaken me in races. I’ve got plenty of competition,” he added.

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