KSA’s Fahad Al Gosaibi sits on pole position after scoring the fastest time in the first Qualifying session of Round 2 of the Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK series at the Bahrain International Circuit. Even though he had never driven the Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo race car prior to today’s practice and qualifying sessions, this didn’t stop the young driver from posting fastest lap after fastest lap.
Sharing the front row of the grid for the first of tomorrow’s races is Italy’s Patrick Zamparini who posted a best time just 0.222secs slower than Al Gosaibi. Justino de Azcarate Riveroll secured 3rd position alongside current series leader Joe Ghanem in 4th. Completing the front half of the grid is Zeehog from Lebanon in 5th and Kuwaiti driver Khaled Al Mudhaf in 6th.
The 3.8km circuit proved to be a test of nerve for all of the drivers as the three long straights allow them to fully exploit the 488bhp 4.7-litre V8 engine.
Fahad Al Gosaibi was happy with today’s performance. “It feels good to be on pole – that’s where I wanted to be. I was very happy with my lap and I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow. The other drivers were pushing me very hard and I can see that the race is going to be pretty tough.”
After tomorrow’s first race, the 12 drivers will return to the track for another Qualifying session that will set the grid for a second race in the afternoon. The Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK series is the headline race at Bahrain International Circuit’s Speed Weekend.