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GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, Third place finish secures drivers’ championship for Ireland’s Ryan Cullen, Race report
Oman’s Al Zubair takes memorable maiden win in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Season 8

Teenage sensation Al Faisal Al Zubair won the penultimate race of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Season 8 in spectacular fashion at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, as part of the official 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

A remarkable maiden victory came courtesy of a near flawless performance from pole. The Omani responded to the intense final round pressure to claim the vital race win by 0.678 seconds in the 10-lap race over rivals Charlie Frijns of Qatar in second and championship leader Ryan Cullen of Ireland third.

Debutant Al Zubair stole the show on the biggest stage in Middle Eastern motorsport by establishing an early lead and taking advantage of his qualifying position in a race that beautiful illustrated the competitive present and exciting future of Porsche racing in the region.

After the race he said: “I’m so happy! It feels great to get my first win, and now I’ve managed to finish in third, second and first overall this season, which really shows how much I have progressed.

“The win today almost makes this a perfect season for me. I said halfway through the season that I thought I had the pace to win a race, and to do it on the last weekend is a dream come true. I can’t wait until tomorrow and hopefully seal the silver championship and end my debut season with the best possible results.”

Youngster Al Zubair was composed and clam showing immense talent and maturity on equal measures to keep leading drivers with Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup experience behind him throughout. Al Zubair now goes into the lead in the silver category and fifth overall.

A third place finish means that ahead of the final race tomorrow Ireland’s Ryan Cullen has secured the overall Drivers Championship for the first time in his career. Cullen has been a model of consistency and deserves his part in regional motor-racing history.

Speaking after his first Porsche title Ryan Cullen said: “I’m really happy with my performance today, I fell back to sixth on the first corner, but managed to overtake two cars in the first lap. I tried to push for second but knew if I stayed where I was, I would win the championship so there was no need to risk it. I felt under pressure today because in motorsport you never know what is going to happen even if you only need a few points to win it. Tomorrow I have nothing to lose so I can go out and enjoy it.

“It means so much to win the championship this season. I’ve worked really hard since November and wanted to get the most out of myself, and prove what I can do against a tough grid of competition. My worst position has been fourth, so I’ve remained consistent which is another very important factor for me. It’s great to be able to take this form and confidence into the Porsche Supercup over the summer and I am hoping to end my season with a win tomorrow.”

The final outcome of this year’s championship is determined over the eleven best results of the season, with all drivers allowed to drop their worst result. For Cullen this minor rule change was academic. Seven race wins in the eleven starts so far this season powered him to the top of the standings and into an unassailable lead over second placed Charlie Frijns.

Behind Cullen the fight continues for the final overall podium in the driver standings and cross the GCC Rookie Category as well as the Silver and Bronze categories. To have so many drivers all engaged in battle to the very last race and across the entire grid the dream outcome for organisers and fans.

The showdown for silverware will now play out in front of mass crowds and global TV audiences in the exciting build-up to whet the appetite ahead of the start of the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

UAE interests lay with Dubai-based Bashar Mardini who finished a credible eighth position in the race, continuing a marked improvement in results across his debut season.

Walter Lechner, Founder and Manager of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, commented, “If I was asked to describe a dream way to close the season this would be it. Ryan is a worthy winner of the championship. This victory offers him a chance to shift his career up a gear and move forward with confidence into racing in Europe this summer. There is no better platform to accelerate through the ranks of motorsport than this series which is what I hope our winner today will also do.

“This series was first established to help identity, nurture and fast-track young racing careers in the region and the progress of Al Faisal Al Zubair is shining example of our vision becoming a reality. What a performance he produced today. He won when it mattered most at the climax of our most competitive season so far which is very positive sign for the future.”

The twelfth and final Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East will take place on the 16th of April 2017, as a support race to the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Championship standings after Race 1 Round 6 – Season 8 (Top six)

Name Country Category Points
1st Ryan Cullen IRE Gold 259
2nd Charlie Frijns QAT Gold 228
3rd Tom Oliphant GBR Gold 198
4th Dylan Pereira LUX Gold 188
5th Al Faisal Al Zubair OMA Silver 181
6th Bander Alesayi KSA Silver 174



All reports on the previous season can be found in our archive.