Rashed Al-Qemzi aims for back-to-back Grand Prix victories in Lithuania

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi (second left) and Mansoor Al-Mansoori (third left) are looking for more Grand Prix success in Lithuania. (Supplied)

• Team Abu Dhabi’s powerboating world champion targets further glory in partnership with Mansoor Al-Mansoori
• Lithuania has been a happy hunting ground for the defending champion

LITHUANIA: Rashed Al-Qemzi is aiming for a second successive victory in Lithuania at the weekend to propel Team Abu Dhabi toward a standout triumph in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship.
Chasing a place in the record books as the first five-time winner of the F2 world driver’s title, powerboating star Al-Qemzi returns to action in Klaipeda in buoyant mood following a win in Norway two weeks ago which gave him the lead in the championship.
With his team-mate, Mansoor Al-Mansoori, up to fourth place in the standings following his second-place finish in Tonsberg, the four-time champion wants the partnership to make this an exceptional season.
“The championship is tougher than ever this year and that gives us extra motivation as a team,” said Al-Qemzi. “After our difficult start in Italy we had the perfect result in Norway, and we want to build on that.
“Mansoor and I work well together and support each other, and we want to keep up the good work in Lithuania and make this an amazing season.”
Lithuania has been a happy hunting ground for the defending champion who has secured three Grand Prix wins there, including last year’s impeccable start-to-finish victory.
Al-Mansoori scored his first Grand Prix victory in Lithuania two years ago to take the lead in the championship and eventually ended the season in third place, which is his minimum target this time.
The Team Abu Dhabi duo know they will have to be at their best in Klaipeda, where the line-up of 20 drivers includes home favorite Edgaras Riabko, who currently trails Al-Qemzi by a single championship point and who will want to give Lithuania something to celebrate.
The third round of the six-event series gets underway on Friday with a free practice session at lunchtime, ahead of the early-evening three-stage qualifying series where Al Qemzi will be looking to claim a second consecutive pole position.
Al-Mansoori’s first target will be to close in on British driver Matthew Palfreyman, who leads him by five points in third place following his opening round victory in Italy and a non-finish in Norway.