Racing, learning and sweating, Al-Attiyah looks back on WTCC debut

Middle East motorsport legend Nasser Al-Attiyah said his FIA World Touring Car Championship debut in his native Qatar last month was big on enjoyment.

Al-Attiyah, a double Dakar winner multiple FIA rally champion, finished P16 and P14 in the two DHL-supported races, scoring Yokohama Drivers’ Trophy points in the process at the wheel of a Campos Racing Chevrolet.

He said: “It’s very important to finish two races because I don’t have really any experience of this kind of race and I am really so happy to be with these top drivers and watching from behind, learning a lot.

“This was a fantastic weekend for me but never do I sweat like this, even in Dakar. But, okay, this was really enjoyable although I was looking when the laps would finish. But this is really good experience and I try to enjoy the December month and prepare myself for the next Dakar.”