Rashed Al Qemzi Remains in Title Race as Mathilda Wiberg Claims Dramatic Victory in Lithuania

Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al Qemzi lost his lead in the 2024 UIM F2 World Championship but remains firmly in the battle for a record-breaking fifth driver’s title. The third round of the championship witnessed a thrilling Grand Prix of Lithuania, where Sweden’s Mathilda Wiberg emerged victorious.

Lithuania’s Edgaras Riabko secured third place, giving him a slim two-point lead over Al Qemzi, who finished fourth after a challenging race in Klaipėda. Despite a disappointing qualifying session, Al Qemzi’s performance keeps him well-positioned for the remaining three rounds in Italy and Portugal, two venues where he has previously excelled.

Al Qemzi’s teammate, Mansoor Al Mansoori, made a remarkable comeback, advancing from 17th to finish in ninth place, earning valuable championship points.

Wiberg’s first F2 Grand Prix win came after a series of dramatic exits from top contenders. Britain’s Matthew Palfreyman, who started from pole position, was forced out of the race due to a snapped timing belt. Finland’s Jarno Vilmunen, poised for victory, ran out of fuel just two laps from the finish, allowing Wiberg to take the win ahead of Frenchman Nelson Morin.

Further drama unfolded post-race when Monaco’s Giacomo Sacchi, initially placed fourth, received a one-lap penalty for a race infringement.

Team Abu Dhabi will now focus on the fourth round of the championship in two weeks at San Nazzaro, their European training base under team manager Guido Cappellini. The final two rounds in Portugal, where Al Qemzi has a strong track record, could be crucial as he aims to secure his fifth F2 world title.