Jeffrey Schmidt wins in Dubai
Jeffrey Schmidt is still on target to clinch the title in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East. The Swiss driver secured his seventh win from eight races last weekend at the Dubai Autodrome. The Al Nabooda Racing driver continues to lead the championship standings.
The opening fixture in what was a home race for his team, Al Nabooda Racing, went perfectly for Schmidt. He set fastest time both in free practice and in qualifying and started from pole position. However, the Swiss driver’s race was quickly over, despite maintaining his lead initially. Team-mate Zaid Ashkanani spun in Turn 1, colliding with the 21-year-old’s car.
Things had to be put right in the second race. Schmidt started the race from the front row and went into P1 on the second lap. There was no stopping him from that moment on. The 21-year-old gradually drew away from his pursuers to cross the finish line 2.3 seconds up – one of the biggest leads so far this season.
“The second race at the Dubai Autodrome was just perfect. We are now back in front, which is where we belong,” said a happy Schmidt after his win. “Dubai was my team’s home race, and I’m pleased that I was able to secure at least one win for Al Nabooda Racing and all their fans at the track.”
The Swiss driver equalled another record with his seventh success in the eighth race of the season. Apart from Schmidt and Abdulaziz Al Faisal, no one in the history of the Porsche one-make trophy has ever racked up more wins just two-thirds of the way into the season.
Schmidt has led the championship continuously since the first round of the season. On 175 points, he heads the rankings in the run-up to the final four races. Through his victory in Dubai, he helped Al Nabooda Racing regain their lead of 86 points in the team standings.
The penultimate round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will again be held at the Dubai Autodrome on February 19th, 2016. Schmidt intends to achieve a double victory there and ensure an early end to the race for the title, so that he can then clinch his first championship win in the Porsche one-make cup during the season finale at Bahrain’s Formula 1 circuit (March 4th-5th, 2016).
