Al Nabooda Racing duo ready for pressure in Abu Dhabi

Dubai - Karim Al Azhari believes his blossoming partnership with Clemens Schmid can carry Al Nabooda Racing to team glory in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, but he expects the pair to come under intense pressure during back-to-back race weekends in the UAE.

The region’s headline race series returns to Yas Marina Circuit this weekend with the Dubai-based outfit aiming to build on their early championship lead after dominating the first two rounds in Bahrain last month.

But with Rounds 3 and 4 in Abu Dhabi leading straight into another high pressure race weekend at Dubai Autodrome on 13-14 December, Al Azhari says the Al Nabooda Racing team-mates can’t afford any slip-ups.

“This championship is now in its fourth year and it is extremely competitive,” he says. “In other race championships I’ve contested we could perhaps afford to have a bad weekend, or race, and still stay on top. 

“That’s not the case with the Porsche GT3 Cup series. Every round is crucial and we’ll be taking every round very seriously. This year the championship is at its most competitive. We’re on top at the moment but it will not be easy for us to hold on to the lead. 

“There’s no room for error this year, and no time to rest. Other teams are pushing hard and will be desperate to knock us off the top, but we have a fantastic team and will do everything we can to stay there.”

Schmid’s two race victories in the season opener at Bahrain International Circuit installed him as the favourite for the individual Porsche GT3 Cup driver’s title. Al Azhari says the close relationship he has quickly established with the young Austrian can be the key to helping them achieve their main goal which is to finish the season as team champions. 

“I’m very happy to have teamed up with Clemens, said Al Azhari. “He’s a great driver and is very familiar with the Porsche GT3 car. I’m a very competitive driver so we definitely suit each other. We share information about the tracks and cars; we give each other advice and feed off each other both on and off the track. Things are going great so far and we have a very good and open relationship.”

The Al Nabooda Racing duo face a particularly testing time at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend where a full day of official practice on Thursday is followed by two Friday morning qualifying sessions for Rounds 3 and 4 which follow within four hours of each other in the afternoon.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, team standings:

1.  Al Nabooda Racing 90pts

2.  Saudi Falcons 75pts 

3.  Team Bahrain 69pts

4.  Frijns Structural Steel ME (QAT) 25pts

5.  Gebhardt Motorsport ME (QAT) 12pts