BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: In-form QMMF Racing Team is eyeing a hat-trick of podium finishes at the season’s final race in Valencia next month, team leader Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah said yesterday,
QMMF rider Anthony West of Australia yesterday finished second in the Moto2 race at Phillip Island, Melbourne, giving his team podium number two this month.
Last week, 31-year-old West brought delight in the QMMF Racing Team camp with his maiden podium finish in pouring rain at Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.
“The team is growing in confidence. The progress we’ve made in recent weeks is great. We managed second place in Australia and this puts us in a great position to look for another podium in Valencia,” Al Attiyah, President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF), said from London yesterday.
Al Attiyah praised the performance of West, saying the Australian dirt track rider lived up to his Moto2 promise he showed in the latter half of the season. “I was expecting him to finish fifth or sixth (in Australia). But we are delighted that he reached the podium again,” Al Attiyah said. “We are thrilled that he finished second in a race that took place in dry conditions. Normally, he does well in wet conditions but it was a delight to see him perform so well.
“He picked up well in the last few weeks,” Al Attiyah, who is also the Vice President of FIM, added.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet but I will. The time difference (between Melbourne and London) is huge so (I) will talk to him shortly,” Al Attiyah said. “I am happy to see the team rally so well.
“The team is picking up momentum. We have already pointed out the areas we need to do look at in the next season.
“Anthony will be assisted by a young Indonesian rider (in 2013). We have decided to promote an Asian rider at this level. A young Asian rider can learn so much from Anthony who is a MotoGP rider.
“There have been long discussions. We have been approached by many top names who want to ride with us in the next season. Our reputation as a great team - from the organisational side - is secure.
“We know that our gradual success has been well received in the racing world,” Al Attiyah pointed out.
“This is a young team. It is not easy to manage two podiums but we have done it. The effort from our side puts us in this position.
“Qatar’s name is on the world map. QMMF Racing Team created history last week for our region. It has been an amazing two or three weeks for us,” Al Attiyah added.
Al Attiyah praised West’s partner Elena Rosell of Spain. “Elena has done well. She has shown great commitment. We can’t complain,” he said when asked about her performance. “It was a tough season for her.
“But for next season, we will back an Asian rider from Indonesia to partner West,” he added.
“We have started our planning for the next season. We will celebrate in Valencia and then start preparing for next year.” Al Attiyah said.
“This has been a great effort by QMMF Racing Team. Thank God for that. We are very happy,” Al Attiyah said yesterday.
THE PENINSULA
