Ashkanani relishing return to Dubai Autodrome for Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Jeffrey Schmidt has warned that his best is yet to come in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East as Al Nabooda Racing look to extend their record-breaking run in the series at Dubai Autodrome this weekend. The Swiss-born UAE resident and his Kuwaiti team-mate Ashkanani have reached the half way point in the season looking unbeatable in their pursuit of a team and drivers’ championship double in the region’s top circuit racing series. Schmidt was still recovering from a recent knee operation when he scored back-to-back victories at Yas Marina Circuit last Friday to stretch his remarkable Porsche GT3 Cup winning sequence to six races.
“Those two races at Yas were definitely the hardest for me,” he said. “I arrived late, had only one test, and didn’t know the track. I was recovering from knee surgery so I wasn’t 100% fit. But I managed two pole positions and two wins so I was very pleased. Now the knee is getting stronger and I can go faster.” Schmidt’s clean sweep of race wins so far added to Ashkanani’s succession of podium finishes giving Al Nabooda Racing a formidable 99-point lead in the GT3 Cup team championship, the No.1 target in the Dubai outfit’s 10th anniversary season.
And if anyone can beat Schmidt to the chequered flag, or even the outright drivers’ title this season, the 21-year-old believes it could be Ashkanani. “At the start of the season, Zaid was finding it difficult when he was also competing in the GP3 series,” said Schmidt, who leads his team-mate by 22 points at the top of the standings. “He was switching from a single seater to the Porsche - which is not easy - sometimes in the same day, as he did in Bahrain. “But since the GP3 series finished he’s been able to concentrate on driving the Porsche alone, and he’s getting quicker and quicker every round. He told me he loves the Dubai Autodrome circuit and for sure he’s going to be strong this weekend.” Dominant so far this season, Schmidt and Ashkanani are taking nothing for granted, and will avoid unnecessary risks in order to put Al Nabooda Racing first. “We need to make sure we don’t lose our focus and make mistakes, because if you do that things can change very quickly in racing,” said Schmidt. “One or two non-finishes by either of us could make a big difference. The aim is to minimise risks. I’m committed to winning races, and Zaid is the same. But if I get into a position where I face a risky manouevre to pass someone, I might hold off. Getting past someone means picking up an extra two points, but making a mistake and going off can cost 25.” Porsche GT3 Cup action at Dubai Autodrome this weekend starts on Friday with free practice (9:30) followed by qualifying (11:55) and the first of two 10-lap races (16:45).
The Saturday schedule is free practice (09:00), qualifying (11:35) and race action (16:00).
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