Cappellini wins to go on top

ABU DHABI // Guido Cappellini won the first race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday to retake the lead in the UIM F1 World Championship drivers' standings. The nine-time world champion won his 62nd career race to leapfrog Team Abu Dhabi's Thani al Qamzi, who finished fifth. It was the Italian's third consecutive win and gives him a 10-point lead over the Emirati. However, Team Abu Dhabi holds a 37-point lead in the Teams' Championship. The American defending champion Jay Price took second, with Sami Selio third. Qamzi's teammate Ahmed al Hameli finished eighth, having started from the rear of the field after breaking an engine that needed replacing. Al Qamzi struggled from the start and slipped to sixth spot in the second lap itself. He managed to add two crucial championship points by moving up to fifth after the 20th lap.

Al Qamzi can regain the lead with a victory in today's second race at the Breakwater at 3.30pm today. The season's final two races are next weekend in Sharjah. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae