Team Abu Dhabi's Rashed Al Qemzi is eager to reclaim the top spot in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship and has declared his intention to secure nothing short of a win in the upcoming Grand Prix of Italy. The four-time F2 world champion is targeting a repeat performance at San Nazzaro, aiming to erase the four-point lead held by Lithuania's Edgaras Riabko, who finished third in the previous round in his home country just over a week ago. Sweden's Mathilda Wiberg's victory in Klaipėda has tied her with Al Qemzi in points, and the Emirati driver acknowledges that he might face the toughest challenge yet in his quest for a record-breaking fifth F2 world title, but he remains optimistic about his chances.
"There's only one approach for San Nazzaro, and that's aiming for the top spot," stated the Emirati racer. "I'm confident I can win there again. It's one of my preferred testing grounds, and I'm prepared to give it my all." Al Qemzi recognizes the competitive landscape, with Riabko and Wiberg both posing significant threats. "It's going to be a hard-fought championship. Riabko is determined, and Mathilda is incredibly quick. Her win in Lithuania didn't surprise me. But I'm aiming for the title and I have faith in my abilities."
After their impressive one-two finish in the second round in Norway, both Al Qemzi and his teammate Mansoor Al Mansoori struggled in Lithuania, failing to make the qualifying shoot-out and settling for fifth and tenth places in the Grand Prix. "The conditions were rough, with large waves, but there are no excuses," Al Qemzi commented. "The key was to gather points in the championship and focus on the next round. We're here now, and we understand what needs to be done."
Should Al Qemzi successfully defend his F2 title this season, he will surpass Sweden's four-time champion, Erik Stark, to stand as the most accomplished driver in the championship's history. His journey began with a ninth-place finish in his inaugural F2 campaign in 2016, followed by his first world title in 2017. Subsequent titles came in 2019, 2021, and last year, when he was crowned champion with one round remaining in Portugal, where the season will conclude with back-to-back Grand Prix weekends next month.
