Schmid wants double title for Al Nabooda Racing
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Clemens Schmid Ready to Challenge Abdulaziz Al Faisal in Porsche GT3 Cup
Introduction
Dubai. Rising star Clemens Schmid is prepared to take on Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Al Faisal on home territory next month, giving Al Nabooda Racing hope for a double title triumph in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
Current Standings
Schmid and team-mate Karim Al Azhari have already positioned the Dubai outfit in command of the team championship at the halfway point in the season. Now, the young Austrian driver aims to revive his hopes of snatching the driver’s crown.
Team Championship Lead
While Al Nabooda Racing holds a 20-point lead over Al-Faisal’s Saudi Falcons, Schmid trails the defending individual champion by 12 points in the race for the drivers’ title.
Performance Overview
This season, Schmid has won four out of six rounds in the Porsche GT3 Cup series. Unfortunately, a freak mechanical failure in Round 3 in Abu Dhabi cost him crucial points and handed the advantage to Al Faisal.
Schmid’s Perspective
“As a racing driver, you always want to win the drivers’ title, but first, you have to look at what is best for the team, and then you think about yourself,” said Schmid. “It will be a big challenge to stop Abdulaziz from winning the title again, but if I work hard and push hard, I think I can catch him.”
Record in Porsche GT3 Cup Series
Since entering the Porsche GT3 Cup series at the start of last season, Schmid has an impressive record. He has topped qualifying for 13 of the 15 rounds he has contested, converting ten of those pole positions into race victories.
Team Dynamics
Schmid emphasizes the key role played by team-mate Al Azhari, who is currently third in the drivers’ championship, in establishing Al Nabooda Racing as the leading team in the 12-round Porsche one-make championship.
Collaboration with Al Azhari
“We have formed a good relationship and become good friends,” said Schmid. “We are also learning from each other. In some corners, he is faster than me, so I try to follow him there. In others, he can learn from me, so we are working well together.”
Potential for Growth
“Karim has performed really well so far this season. You have to remember that it’s only his first full season in the GT3 cup car, which is very difficult to drive. I think he will improve massively in the rest of the season because you can see his potential, and if he gets a good lap like in Abu Dhabi, he is faster than Abdulaziz,” Schmid added.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Standings
Team Standings
- 1. Al Nabooda Racing - 245pts
- 2. Saudi Falcons - 225pts
- 3. Team Bahrain - 202pts
- 4. Frijns Structural Steel ME (QAT) - 93pts
- 5. Gebhardt Motorsport ME (QAT) - 56pts
Drivers Standings
- Abdulaziz Al-Faisal (KSA) - 140 pts
- Clemens Schmid (AUT) - 128 pts
- Karim Al Azhari (UAE) - 117 pts
- Zaid Ashkanani (KUW) - 98 pts
- Faisal Binladen (KSA) - 85 pts
