Al Nabooda Racing new boys can form dynamic duo in Porsche GT3 Cup series, says Schmidt
Jeffrey Schmidt, one of two new faces in the Al Nabooda Racing driver line-up this season, is confident he can form a winning combination with Zaid Ashkanani in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East and bring the team title back to Dubai.
Talented Swiss driver Schmidt and Kuwait’s Ashkanani join forces for the first time at Bahrain International Circuit on Friday during the first of six race weekends making up the 2015-16 Porsche GT3 Cup series.
While Schmidt has been producing some eye-catching performances this season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Ashkanani has been making his debut in the GP series and the pair have already built up a good understanding.
“We have been travelling together in Europe this season and I have developed a good friendship with him,” said Schmidt. “I’ve only seen him in testing so far, but I know he’s quick. Zaid’s a really talented guy, I think the most talented driver down here at the moment.
“In Europe I drive in the Porsche Super Cup and the Porsche Carerra Cup, probably the two toughest Porsche championships in the world. This is my third year and It’s exactly the same GT3 Cup car as the one we use in the Middle East series.
“It means I’ve got a lot of experience in this car so I can use this experience to help Zaid. We’ll work closely together and I’m confident we can achieve the main objective this season which is to win the Porsche GT3 Cup team title.“
Al Nabooda Racing had to settle for runners up spot last season after dominating the team championship for the two previous years, and they are determined to recapture the crown in their tenth anniversary year.
Says Schmidt: “It’s a great pleasure to join Al Nabooda Racing, the most successful team in the Porsche GT3 Cup series. I’ve been involved for the last two years as a reference driver and coach and now I’m here as a driver. It’s great for me as a driver to get a lot of mileage in the winter and I hope I can use my experience to help Al Nabooda Racing win the team and drivers’ titles.”
Schmidt has made only one previous appearance in the GT3 Cup series, stepping in as a replacement at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit two seasons ago and winning the race with five seconds to spare.
“He made a huge impression that day, and when he approached us to join the team we were more than happy to bring him on board,” said Vijao Rao, team manager of Al Nabooda Racing. “Over the last two years he has emerged as one of Europe’s top young drivers, and given his display in both the Supercup and the Carerra Cup, it was an easy decision for us to make. Partnering him with Zaid makes us a very strong team this season.”
Friday’s opening round of the new Porsche GT3 Cup series is followed 24 hours later by Round 2. Other race weekends follow at Reem International Circuit in Saudi, Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, Dubai Autodrome and Bahrain again from 4-5 March.