Saudi racer Juffali delighted as Theeba Motorsport triumphs on International GT Open debut in France

RIYADH: Theeba Motorsport founder and Saudi driver Reema Juffali said “she couldn’t be happier” after her team clinched its first victory in the Pro-Am class in the second round of the International GT Open in France.

At the Circuit Paul Ricard, Juffali and British teammate Adam Christodoulou capped off the weekend on a high as they battled to first place, and third overall, in race two after qualifying in 13th.

A day earlier, the pair had finished fifth in their class and seventh overall in race one, scoring their first solid points having taken pole position. Juffali was thrilled with how the weekend went for her team, which only launched last week.

“It’s a first overall podium for the team and first in class, so I couldn’t be happier,” she said. “I’m really proud of what we have achieved as a team in such a short space of time.

“It’s very different being purely a driver compared to a driver who manages her own team, but I think it makes it more exciting,” she added.

“Adam did an amazing job today, keeping it clean and getting us across the line despite the handicap. Now it’s about getting our head down and building on what we have achieved this weekend. I’m already ready for the next race.”

Christodoulou described the victory as the “cherry on top” of the weekend.

“As far as races go, they don’t get much better than that. We had a third overall and a win in class, so a brilliant weekend overall,” he said.

“Reema drove really well, the team were great and the car felt perfect all weekend. To fight for the win was the cherry on top.”

In race two, Juffali made short work of her rivals at the rolling start of the hour-long contest, gaining two places to move into 11th.

Opting for an early pitstop, Juffali