MANAMA // The driver and team titles will come down to the final race of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season on Sunday in Bahrain after Al Nabooda Racing’s championship leader Clemens Schmid was forced to retire from Saturday’s Race 1 along with title rival Zaid Ashkanani.
Skydive Dubai Falcons took advantage to move ahead of Al Nabooda in the team standings following Emirati driver Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum’s second-place finish.
Defending champion Ashkanani started on pole with championship leader Schmid fourth. Schmid took advantage of a poor Ashkanani start and shot to second place with his rival dropping to fourth.
The drivers were not even halfway through the first lap when Ashkanani’s wheels locked as he tried to squeeze past Schmid and Charlie Frijns into Turn 8.
The Kuwaiti knocked into Frijns and the two had to retire.
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Schmid was forced into a complete halt to avoid any collision, which meant he had to rejoin in last position. As the Austrian tried to make his way through the pack he collided with the car of Rob Frijns and also had to retire from the race.
The result means neither the No 1 nor No 2 driver scored points with Schmid ahead in the championship by 12 points.
So Schmid has a lot of work to do in Race 2 today, where he will start from seventh with Ashkanani again on pole.
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