Qatar’s Charlie Frijns enjoyed a strong qualifying session to secure fifth position for Round 4’s opening race of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Dubai Autodrome yesterday.
On a notoriously testing track that is known for pushing every driver to the absolute limits, Frijns recorded a typically solid lap time to secure a strong grid position to attack from.
Emerging talent Frijns, racing for Team Frijns Structural Steel Middle East alongside his teammate and father Rob Frijns, are poised to continue their challenge for silverware in both the team and driver championships this weekend.
In an amazing qualifying session, the top six drivers qualified on the grid in the exact same position they hold in the overall driver’s standings.
The Doha-based driver is currently in fifth position in the driver’s championship following an indifferent start to the season but last weekend’s third round at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit signalled a return to form.
Speaking after qualifying at the Dubai Autodrome, Frijns said: “Qualifying started really well, we got the car set-up right and the tires felt good.
“In the fourth lap I wanted to try and set the quickest lap time and really go for it, but as I came round another car was exiting the pit and it threw me off course.
“I locked the front tires and after that I couldn’t set a faster lap with a flat spot on the tires. I am not starting Race 1 in a position I wanted to be in at all but I will give it everything I have got and hopefully qualify in a stronger position tomorrow.”