Team Abu Dhabi’s Mansoor Al Mansoori Claims Pole Position at Grand Prix of Portugal

Peso Da Régua, The Gulf Observer: In a dramatic turn of events, Mansoor Al Mansoori of Team Abu Dhabi has secured pole position for today’s Grand Prix of Portugal, the penultimate round of the UIM F2 World Championship. Al Mansoori’s stunning performance upstaged his teammate and hot favourite Rashed Al Qemzi, who was notably absent from the final qualifying shootout.

The qualifying session at Peso Da Régua saw a surprising twist as four-time champion Al Qemzi failed to advance to the six-boat Q3 shootout. In a season that has been one of the most fiercely contested in the championship’s 30-year history, Al Mansoori’s exceptional display highlighted his growing challenge for the title.

Late drama unfolded as Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg, who is trailing Al Qemzi by just eight points in the championship standings, crashed spectacularly. The incident leaves her mechanics with a substantial repair job before she resumes in fifth place tomorrow. Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko, who qualified in third, is just one point behind Wiberg, promising an exhilarating finale to the season in Portugal over the next eight days.

The intensity of the season was evident during today’s official practice session for the 16 starters. Wiberg narrowly edged out Al Qemzi by five thousandths of a second, with Al Mansoori trailing closely in third. The top seven competitors were separated by less than a second, setting the stage for a gripping qualifying session.

Q1 and Q2 were combined into a single 40-minute battle for the top six positions in Q3. While Al Mansoori led briefly past the halfway point, Al Qemzi struggled, starting in eighth place after a pit stop for a new propeller. Riabko briefly held the top position before Matthew Palfreyman took the lead. Al Mansoori ultimately reclaimed the fastest time, securing pole position as Al Qemzi was unable to improve.

As the championship race tightens, the leading standings are as follows:

1. Rashed Al Qemzi (UAE) – 52 pts
2. Mathilda Wiberg (SWE) – 44 pts
3. Edgaras Riabko (LTU) – 43 pts
4. Mansoor Al Mansoori (UAE) – 31 pts
5. Matthew Palfreyman (GBR) – 29 pts
6. Nelson Morin (FRA) – 24 pts
7. Duarte Benavente (POR) – 16 pts
8. Giacomo Sacchi (MON) – 12 pts
9. David del Pin (ITA) – 12 pts
10. Mette Bjerknæs (GBR) – 11 pts

With the title still up for grabs, all eyes will be on the action-packed race today as the drivers compete for crucial points in the penultimate round of the championship.