By Rizwan Rehmat
DOHA: Qatar rallying icon Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is set to make his debut on the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) circuit this week but the two-time Dakar champion says he won’t shy away from a racing challenge.
The 45-year-old, who won an astounding four world titles in 2015, will drive a Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 at the final round of WTCC season tomorrow.
“I love circuit racing. I follow many races all over the world,” Al Attiyah said a day before his first free practice session at the 12th and final round of WTCC season.
“It won’t be easy contesting a sprint race but I would like to learn and get experience,” Al Attiyah said. “It is a fast circuit with 16 corners. But I am sure everybody will enjoy being on the track,” Al Attiyah said.
Al Attiyah won the Dakar Rally title for the second time in his career last January. He followed it up by nailing the FIA Middle East Championship for the 11th time last month.
In between the two wins, Al Attiyah secured the WRC2 and the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country titles to complete his bag of four trophies in 2015.
“I think for the drivers, they will be watching the first corner,” Al Attiyah said when asked about racing tips on the floodlit Losail International Circuit. “Because you have seen many things (have) happened on the first corner during GT3 series events and local championship races. It is a really fast medium corner. But I am sure the professional drivers will do well,’ Al Attiyah said.
Al Attiyah said he feels part of the road racing family now that QMMF has allowed him a chance to compete against drivers like WTCC World Champion Jose Maria Lopez, Robu Huff, Mehdi Bennai and Norbert Michelisz.
“It has been a great year for us. It is equally great to drive a car at the WTCC season finale. I think me getting a chance to drive here is a gift from QMMF. I am quite happy overall,” Al Attiyah said.
Al Attiyah, who excels at skeet shooting having won medals at the Olympic and Asian Games, said he didn’t expect to win four titles in one season.
“We had plans to win one or two titles out of three championships but to find ourselves winning four feels great,” Al Attiyah said.
“We like the shape we had this season. We have been in pristine condition. We were really happy to have this support throughout the season,” he added.
“This season was really great for us. Starting from Dakar to winning the WRC2 title, the FIA Middle East Championship and the Cross-Country title, it was an unbelievable season,” the London Games bronze winner said.
Two-time World Champion Lopez said he will attempt a hat-trick of WTCC titles in 2016 but won’t predict the outcome just yet.
“Third championship? I don’t know. We will see. Two years ago I was thinking of my first title. For sure the competition will be strong next season. We will see next year,” Lopez said yesterday.
The Spaniard was quick to thank his team-mates in Citroen camp.
“I am happy to with this team who made me a champion for two times. Some things have changed. It’s been a pleasure to share the wins. I have been following rallying since I was 7-8,” Lopez said.
He quickly added: “I am very happy to be in Qatar and to compete with somebody like Nasser. I hope it is a nice race.”
The Peninsula
