Qatar's Al Kuwari crowned MERC champion; Al Attiyah secures Cyprus Rally title

Doha: Qatar s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari today, October 20, clinched his maiden FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title while his compatriot Nasser S...

Doha: Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari today, October 20, clinched his maiden FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title while his compatriot Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah secured his 9th overall victory at the prestigious event.

Al Kuwari and his co-driver Nasser Al Kuwari finished in third position at the Cyprus Rally in their Skoda Fabia RS to seal the title in style. The pair headed to Cyprus with a considerable lead, just needing to finish the rally to achieve the historic milestone of becoming the fifth Qatari driver to lift the MERC title after Saeed Al Hajri, Hamad bin Eid Al Thani, Misfer Al Marri and Al Attiyah. 

With Al Kuwari seizing the title, the five-time Dakar Rally winner Al Attiyah missed the opportunity to clinch record-extending 20th MERC crown, but signed off in second spot in the MERC standings.

Yesterday, Al Attiyah showcased his dominance in the 12-stage event alongside Italian navigator Giovanni Bernacchini, driving a Skoda Fabia RS as they completed the Rally with a total time of 2:47:00.0.