Qatar’s Motorsport Authority, QMMF, has announced a programme in the 2019 TCR Europe series, partnering with PCR Sport to run Abdulla Ali Al-Khelaifi in a CUPRA TCR.
Al-Khelaifi has dominated the Qatar Touring Car Championship in recent years, winning the title for the past three seasons at the wheel of a Toyota GT86 (in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018) and a Honda S2000 (in 2018/2019).
In 2017 Al-Khelaifi also took a class victory in the 12H Spa-Francorchamps at the wheel of a BMW 325i.
The 28-year-old will be run by Spanish team PCR Sport, who ran Mikel Azcona to the title last year, with support from Qatari team personnel in a managerial capacity.
“Entering Abdulla into the TCR Europe Series was the natural step after he has dominated the Qatar Touring Car Championship in recent years,” said Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai.
“The move comes as a part of the programme developed by QMMF to support talented racing drivers. The team will be managed by Qatari staff, as we are storming the circuit racing journey one step at a time.”
Al-Khelaifi will be run under the banner of QMMF Racing with PCR Sport.
“I’m so delighted to be part of such a prestigious championship in which I will be able to rub shoulders with experienced competitors from all over Europe,” said Al-Khelaifi.
“I know the journey won’t be easy, but I am sure that I will learn and develop a lot. I am also very proud to be the first Qatari driver to ever commit to a full circuit racing series in Europe.”