ABU DHABI Young Emirati racer Amna Al Qubaisi is on a high. The Daman Speed Academy student has created history by becoming the first female driver to be part of Team UAE which is participating in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals currently on at the International Karting Circuit of Portimao in Algarve, Portugal.
The 15-year-old racer qualified for the finals through a wildcard entry in recognition of her efforts and success in the UAE Rotax Max Challenge Championship, the national series in the UAE.
“I’m thankful to Al Ain Raceway for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” she said as she readies to compete in the 125 Junior Max classification for drivers aged between 13 and 16. “It will be a great learning experience for me. I want to make a mark in the finals. But I will look forward to gaining experience by competing against some of the best drivers in the world.”
Amna is the daughter of Khaled Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati to finish at Le Mans. Her sister Hamda Al Qubaisi, 12, has also had a fair share of success in the UAE national series.
Summer camp
“My dad is my idol. I want to reach the pinnacle in racing. While Formula One is my first choice, I would love to see myself competing in the Formula E series,” she said.
Amna said she gained a lot of experience when she travelled to France as part of her academy’s summer camp earlier this year. “The camp gave me an opportunity to learn a lot of things and that has helped me immensely, ” she said.
Team UAE Manager Guy Sheffield said, “It is an honour and privilege for our team to be part of the Rotax Grand Finals with such a strong line-up of drivers. Our team gets stronger each year, and at this 16th edition of the event we are confident of an impressive showing by the drivers who will fly the UAE flag this weekend.”
