Khaled Al Qubaisi optimistic despite poor showing in final WEC free practice

Sport360 staff 11:41 16/11/2014
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  • And they're off: the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain

    Proton Competition, the Emirates Global Aluminium and Abu Dhabi Racing-backed team, finished the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain yesterday just outside the final podium place but nevertheless picked up 12 points.

    The team, competing in class LMGTE Am, is led by Abu Dhabi resident Khaled Al Qubaisi with German Christian Reid and Klaus Bachler of Austria also doing driving duties at the 6 Hours of Bahrain a Sakhir International Circuit behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 RSR.

    Following the race, Al Qubaisi said he was happy with the outcome, adding: “We tried to play a little with our strategy and went in with an extra pit stop. But the Astons were once again very quick. 

    “For me personally, looking at our performance, it was as good as finishing second. The eventual fourth place is good for the points.

    “The goal was to protect our driver and team standings and we have achieved that.

    “I am now looking forward to the last round in Brazil. It is a new track for me but I am excited about racing there and discovering what the track is like.”

    The Abu Dhabi resident also revealed that while all other teams in the LMGTE AM class had two Pr category drivers, Proton Competition had just one, in Austrian Bachler, and hence the achievements in the championship thus far are more than what was expected from the start.

    Al Qubaisi added: “Moreover, having qualified in sixth it was great to finish fourth; this means that we have the pace and we will now work out a new strategy for Brazil.”

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