Xcel Motorsport driver Matteo Nannini is our 2019 F4 UAE champion, having surpassed title rival Joshua Durksen by 59 points in Race 2. Although the ongoing Dubai event has featured a great deal of ups and downs for Nannini, the Italian can now face the remainder of the closing chapter of the season with a more relaxed approach.

The pole position assault was not successful for Nannini, as he was pipped by Xcel teammate Alhabsi. Despite the stewards investigated on the track limits violation by the Omani driver, he was not stripped of the pole and therefore Nannini was confirmed in P2.

In Race 1 Joshua Durksen was involved in a crash after just 4 laps, which led his race to a premature end. This facilitated Nannini’s chances of getting closer to the title, as he came in 2nd behind race winner and polesitter Alhabsi.

However, Nannini’s fortune was swiftly reversed at the start of Race 2, as he was 5th on worn out tyres, whereas Durksen was 10th but with a fresh set. The Italian was already aware of the incoming difficulties, but an extraordinary tyre management throughout the race earned him his early title victory. As Durksen brilliantly recovered up to P2, Nannini’s P8 was enough to secure the championship, which is part of a seamless and tireless process of hard work and synergy among the team.

A new challenge now awaits the 15-year-old, as he is going to make his official debut in the Italian F4 at the season opener in Vallelunga in May. But first, there are two more races tomorrow and Nannini has already set his sights on winning them, given that tomorrow he will be able to start on unused tyres.