Local driver Tiago Rodrigues endured a disappointing Round Two at the Formula 4 UAE Championship, which took place on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit over the weekend, the Macau Daily Times reports.
Race 1 saw Rodrigues – who won last year’s F4 Chinese Championship – start in 14th position, then collide with his XCEL Motorsport teammate Alvise Rodella, from Italy. The crash damaged Rodrigues’ car, forcing him into the pits.
Afterwards, a second crash – with another XCEL driver, Hong Kong’s Liu Kai Shun – led Rodrigues to exit the race. British racer Freddie Slater wound up with the fastest lap, for Prema Racing.
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Rodrigues began Race 2 at the back of the field, battling to overtake slower drivers. He and Australian Peter Bouzinelos crashed in the middle of the track, leading to early retirements for both. Race 2 was won by Emirati Keanu Al Azhari, with the Yes Heat Racing Academy.
In Race 3, Tiago Rodrigues fared better and managed to climb back up to 15th position. That race was also taken by Al Azhari.
Round Three of the five-found Formula 4 UAE Championship is set to take place at Dubai’s Autodrome on 3 and 4 February.
