Humaid Al Masaood, the Emirati Oryx Racing driver, has not let the disappointment of failing to finish the final race of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) cloud what has been an impressive debut season.
The Abu Dhabi driver reflected on his achievements over the summer, including a stunning victory at the Baltimore Grand Prix, and was happy with the progress he has made.
"The whole series has been a dream for me and to finish third in the LMP1 Team Championship is down to the team as a whole," Al Masaood said. "We have worked as a unit very closely from day one and everyone at Oryx Racing can be proud."
Driving for the UAE-based Oryx team, Al Masaood picked up four podium places from seven races as he slotted into the team nicely with the experienced drivers Steven Kane and Butch Leitzinger.
However, the team was not able to cap off their season at Petit Le Mans at the Road Atlanta circuit last weekend when Leitzinger, the team's driver for the opening leg, was forced to retire from the 1,600km season finale after contact with the barrier on Turn 1.
"It was such an honour to compete at such a famous track," Al Masaood said. "It really was one of the most technically challenging circuits on the calendar.
"The team are working hard to find out what caused Butch to come off as he did, but I am certain we will be back at the Petit Le Mans next year as we now have unfinished business."
The team had qualified ninth on the grid for the race, which contained many of the world's top teams from the Intercontinental Le Mans Series, including Peugeot Sport Total and Audi Sport Team Joest.
The race was won by the Peugeot team of Franck Montagny, Stephane Sarrazin and Alex Wurz.
