Safety first works for bin Rashid in final rounds of Porsche GT3 Cup

The Bahraini driver has two low-key drives to third and fourth place which were enough for him to be crowned the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Champion.

Sheikh Salman bin Rashid had conceded on Friday evening that he was not sure what approach he was going to take into yesterday's final two rounds of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Championship.

The Bahraini driver had a 14-point lead going into the races at the Dubai Autodrome, and had been torn between driving aggressively for victory or driving sensibly and doing just what he needed to be the champion.

In the end he chose the latter approach and low-key drives to third and fourth places were enough for him to be crowned the champion.

His nearest rival, Prince Abdulaziz al Faisal, had done everything he could to retain his title by winning both of yesterday's races, but the two spins he suffered as a result of contact with bin Rashid in Friday's races came back to haunt him as he fell short by four points.

Fahad Algosaibi, who had started both races from pole position, finished second behind his Saudi Arabian compatriot in both races, which was enough to secure him third place in the championship.

Khaled al Qubaisi's disappointing end to the season continued as the Emirati finished only sixth in the first race, a result that finished off his slim title hopes, and then was forced out of the second race following contact with his Tolimit Arabia teammate Musaed al Murar.