ABU DHABI: Dylan Pereira gave an unforgettable performance at Yas Marina Circuit to take his first ever win in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

The Luxembourg driver who qualified on pole sprinted clear from a chasing grid to take race one of Round 4 in a masterclass of speed and control for a first win of the season and his young career.

On the first of two race days this weekend at the UAE capital’s famous circuit, Pereira set a blistering pace to qualify quickest. The impressive time of 2:10.893, was quicker than any other driver on the 18-car grid but also in the history of the championship, as he set the fastest lap ever recorded in a Porsche GT3 Cup Car at Yas Marina Circuit.

Pereira continued his quick form into race one, pulling away from the grid and leaving championship leader Tom Oliphant, who started in second, out of his reach early on. British driver Oliphant couldn’t keep up with Pereira’s form and ended where he started in a satisfactory second. Oliphant’s closest rival for the championship title Al Faisal Al Zubair of Oman finished third.

Pereira said: “It feels great to win. I had a solid qualifying session followed by a great start in the race one was able to record the fastest lap ever to be achieved at Yas Marina Circuit in Porsche GT3 Cup Car, which feels amazing. I pushed from the off and succeeded in creating a good gap while keeping my pace.”