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HUNDREDS of supporters dressed in red and waving flags cheered on the Arab world's My Qi-Meritus.Mahara team in the last race of the GP2 Asia Series which also saw Bahrain's Hamad Al Fardan take to the Bahrain International Circuit stage.
Hamad experienced a disappointing weekend of racing but My Qi-Meritus.Mahara supporters had more to cheer.
Alvaro Parente and Marco Bonanomi finished in 11th and 8th spots in the final challenge with Parente earning the team - flying the GulfWeekly flag - a point after setting the fastest lap.
The drivers avoided a multi-car accident involving Hamad and moved up the order after starting the race in 14th and 21st places respectively.
Parente said: "I am quite disappointed to leave the season having scored only one point for the team at their home Grand Prix. I enjoyed very much racing for My Qi-Meritus.Mahara and I liked their dedication and the warmth of the QuestNet fans.
"This race went well, but was not long enough. I started from 21st and finished 10 positions higher. At the start I was a bit careful to avoid the first corner incident but then later pushed on and gained more places during the race.
"There was not much else we could do to improve, but I did set a good lap with a time of 1:48.432."
Bonanomi said: "I was able to move up and finish the race in 8th. I hope to be with the team next season to maximise our potential. I want to thank all for the wonderful work we did together."
Peter Thompson, team founder, said: "This was possibly our best race of the season with two cars in the top 10.
"It is a very positive way to end but I promise Bahrain and the QuestNet fans that when we come back again next year we will win.
"The season is over now and I would like to thank the team, the engineers, the mechanics, the drivers and our sponsor QuestNet for their efforts.
"We scored one podium in the season and this shows the potential of the team and we cannot wait for a third season to start.
"It's been a fantastic week in Bahrain. It changes and it grows every time I come back here. It has to be the number one F1 Grand Prix in the world as it is so clean, so organised and everyone is so friendly. Bahrain gets 10 out of 10 and definitely sets the standards."
Raad S Abduljawad, team chairman, said: "Marco Bonanomi and Alvaro Parente did a good job, but the second season is always the hardest.
"Now we have to sit-down and see how we can target forces for a third year together."
Parente finished 21st and Bonanomi finished in the 28th place of the drivers' standings. My Qi-Meritus.Mahara landed 10th spot in the team standings.
