emirates7 - Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri delivered an impressive performance at the renowned Circuit Paul Ricard near Marseille, in southern France, securing second place in Race 2 of the Formula Regional Championship and proudly raising the UAE flag on the global motorsport stage.
The Paul Ricard Circuit, which opened in 1970, is known for hosting prestigious events such as Formula One Grands Prix. Its distinctive blue and red runoff areas and the long Mistral Straight make the 5.842 km track a challenging mix of high-speed sections and technical corners.
The race weekend saw participation from 26 promising drivers representing 18 countries. Al Dhaheri showed strong form early on during Friday’s free practice sessions. In FP1, he completed two runs—one on used tires and another on fresh rubber—while FP2 was dedicated to race pace and qualifying simulations.
Saturday’s Qualifying 1 presented an obstacle when a slow puncture in his rear-left tire disrupted his session, forcing him to sit out Race 1. However, he made a remarkable comeback on Sunday.
In Qualifying 2, Al Dhaheri clinched pole position within his group and narrowly missed the overall pole by just 0.055 seconds. Starting from second on the grid in Race 2, he delivered a composed and strategic drive, showcasing superb tire management and racecraft to secure the runner-up spot. He also clocked the fastest lap of the race at 1:58.862.
His achievement not only earned him a place on the podium but also marked the first time the UAE flag has been flown at Circuit Paul Ricard in this championship—another significant milestone in his rising career.
The next round of the Formula Regional Championship is set for two weeks' time at the legendary Imola Circuit near Florence, Italy, a venue rich in motorsport heritage.
The Paul Ricard Circuit, which opened in 1970, is known for hosting prestigious events such as Formula One Grands Prix. Its distinctive blue and red runoff areas and the long Mistral Straight make the 5.842 km track a challenging mix of high-speed sections and technical corners.
The race weekend saw participation from 26 promising drivers representing 18 countries. Al Dhaheri showed strong form early on during Friday’s free practice sessions. In FP1, he completed two runs—one on used tires and another on fresh rubber—while FP2 was dedicated to race pace and qualifying simulations.
Saturday’s Qualifying 1 presented an obstacle when a slow puncture in his rear-left tire disrupted his session, forcing him to sit out Race 1. However, he made a remarkable comeback on Sunday.
In Qualifying 2, Al Dhaheri clinched pole position within his group and narrowly missed the overall pole by just 0.055 seconds. Starting from second on the grid in Race 2, he delivered a composed and strategic drive, showcasing superb tire management and racecraft to secure the runner-up spot. He also clocked the fastest lap of the race at 1:58.862.
His achievement not only earned him a place on the podium but also marked the first time the UAE flag has been flown at Circuit Paul Ricard in this championship—another significant milestone in his rising career.
The next round of the Formula Regional Championship is set for two weeks' time at the legendary Imola Circuit near Florence, Italy, a venue rich in motorsport heritage.