2. Clemens Schmid celebrates on the podium with Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal and Bandar Alesayi

Dubai.  Austrian Clemens Schmid grabbed victory in Round 1 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at Dubai Autodrome today after a great battle with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal.

After securing the first pole position of the 2011-12 season, the vastly experienced Schmid was given an early shock when Prince Abdulaziz, who had started third on the grid, swept past him into the lead on the first lap.

Chasing his second GT3 Cup title in three years, the Saudi held off Schmid’s challenge until the ninth of 14 laps before the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver squeezed past him and went on to win by 2.3 seconds.

The battle for the lead at the first corner

“I made a mistake and he took advantage of it,” said Prince Abdulaziz, who was followed home in third place by fellow-Saudi, Bandar Alesayi.

Belgian Stephane Lemeret, driving for Dubai-based Al Nabooda Racing, Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy, making his debut in the Porsche GT3 Cup series, and Saudi Saeed Al Mouri completed the top six.

Enjoying a splendid start to the season was Sadoon Al Kuwari, the first Qatari to take part in the championship, who finished eighth overall and captured the Mobil 1 Trophy for drivers over the age of 45.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Round 1 results

1. Clemens Schmid (AUT)                                         23:45.664

2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons               23:48.042

3. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Alesayi Racing                    23:54.520

4. Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing       23:55.907

5. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing              23:56.917

6. Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons                      24:13.338

7. Mark Thomas (CAN)                                              24:16.715

8. Sadoon Al Kuwari (QA)                                          24:39.477

9. Hannes Waimer (GER)                                          24:39.831

10. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing            24:41.379

 

Championship positions after Round 1

1. Clemens Schmid (AUT)                                                     20pts

2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Saudi Falcons                           18pts

3. Bandar Alesayi (KSA) Alesayi Racing                                16pts

4. Stephane Lemeret (BEL) Al Nabooda Racing                   14pts

5. Ahmad Al Harthy (OM) Oman Air Racing                          12pts

6. Saeed Al Mouri KSA) Saudi Falcons                                  10pts

7. Mark Thomas (CAN)                                                          9pts

8. Sadoon Al Kuwari (QA)                                                      8pts

9. Hannes Waimer (GER)                                                      7pts

10. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing                        6pts

Mobil 1 Trophy

1. Sadoon Al Kuwari (QA)                                                      20pts

2. Hannes Waimer (GER)                                                      18pts

3. Hans Guido Riegel (GER) Haribo Racing                          16pts

4. Rob Frijns (NL)                                                                   14pts

5. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing                   12pts

6. Alain Muraour (F)                                                                10pts