Greetings from the Rotax Grand Finals in Al Ain, UAE. Today all drivers will have their final qualification heat, and those outside the top 28 after the heats will have their final chance to make the final in the 2nd chance race. Only the top 6 drivers from the 2nd chance races will make it to the finals – providing some of the most intense and likely most aggressive driving of the weekend.
From the Rotax Asia/Malaysia group the strongest drivers are in the Juniors. Arjun Maini has had the pace to make it straight to the finals and after a good first heat he had bad luck dropping him down the order in his 2nd heat yesterday. Also in Juniors Malaysian driver Gilbert Ang has finished in 14th and 16th in his two heats – a similar result today should see him make it directly to the final stages. Syazwan has not been pleased with his pace and bad luck has just made things worse.
In the Seniors Senna SN from Indonesia is hoping for a top ~12 result which might see him in the top 28 after a 16th and 22nd yesterday. Aldino Asmasoebrata, Farriz Fauzy, and Ang Kok Wee have struggled to find the pace they were hoping for in the ultra competitive Senior Field.
In DD2 Singaporean driver Guy Eldon Ermer was pleased with his pace in the unofficial practice sessions but has since started to struggled but is aiming to make the 2nd chance race and put on a good performance. Japanese driver Shota Kitazono who qualified through the Rotax Asia Challenge has improved his pace throughout the week and a good result today might see him through to the finals.
Drivers that don’t make the cut today will pack up their gear and spectate from the grand stands tomorrow. Follow the races on the official rotax website HERE including live timing and streaming video. Enjoy the pictures from Benjamin Leong below.