He may not be leading the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East going into the final two races of the 12-round season but Clemens Schmid is still confident of retaining his title.
The Austrian goes into the double-header at the Bahrain International Circuit trailing the Kuwaiti driver Zaid Ashkanani by three points.
Schmid is tied on 196 points with Abudulaziz Al Faisal, the Saudi Arabian driver, who has won the championship twice in the past. If any of the title contending trio win both Friday’s race and Saturday’s event they will be guaranteed the championship, regardless of what their rivals do.
“All our hard work across the season will come down to the last two races, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,”said Schmid, the Al Naboodah driver.
“For me, I know that winning both races will make me champion, and that is what I am going for.
“Two first places will put the trophy in my hands and anything other than that will mean I have to rely on luck.”
Schmid’s tactics for the weekend are clear: start at the front and look to control things from there.
“The qualifying sessions will be the key to success, without a doubt, and that is where we have to make sure we are really strong,” he said.
“Starting from the front of the grid is a huge advantage and I would feel confident of having my best drive from out in front. With that in mind, we have to throw everything at qualifying.”
The teams’ championship is also up for grabs with Al Naboodah holding a 22-point lead over Saudi Falcons.
“For us the weekend will be about keeping our focus and making sure we push right to the end,” said Hasher Al Maktoum, of the Falcons team. “You never know how things will pan out.”
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE