Team Abu Dhabi's Thani al Qamzi and Ahmad al Hameli will be hoping for better luck in today's race after engine troubles forced them to retire in the first of the back-to-back races in Liuzhou, China yesterday. But a consolation for al Qamzi is the fact that he retains the World Championship series lead - albeit reduced to six points - after his closest challenger and the defending champion Jay Price missed a great opportunity to take over the lead by barrel-rolling in the 22nd lap.
Sami Selio of Finland, won the race from pole position, beating the Italian Francesco Cantando and Pierre Lundin of Sweden. Selio's win moved him to fourth overall, while Jonas Andersson of Sweden - following his fifth-place finish - jumped one place to second ahead of Price, the American racing under the Qatar flag. Al Hameli started yesterday's race in superb fashion, even passing Selio - a former world champion - to take the lead for 12 laps of the 28-lap race.
But he was forced to retire with engine-related problems, relinquishing the lead to the eventual winner. The team were handed a double blow after al Qamzi, who started sixth on the grid and moved up to second position after a yellow flag restart, joined his teammate on the sidelines with similar problems. A disappointed al Qamzi, who is aiming to win his first world title, said yesterday: "Breakdowns always occur. This is the nature of the sport. We look forward to better luck in the second race, in which I want to defend my championship lead."
Al Hameli agreed, saying: "This is the first time our team has missed the podium this season. Despite that we know that we were at the front of the field and that gives us confidence for the next race." apassela@thenational.ae
