Given they are rising stars in the world of motorsport, it was a little surprising to learn that Emirati sisters Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi arrived at Tuesday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix launch event at the Louvre in an Uber.
That could be the only explanation for the slight delay in two of the fastest and most skilled drivers in the country arriving for a raft of media engagements, as race organisers Ethara spelled out plans for the 16th installment of the UAE’s marquee sporting event this December.
Yet, you can be sure their ride still received a five-star rating, considering the patience and grace the siblings showed as they glided through several rounds of interviews, before taking their place on stage alongside driver-turned-pundit David Coulthard and Formula One management stalwart Otmar Szafnauer.
If anyone has earned a stage, it’s the Al Qubaisi sisters – fierce competitors on the F1 Academy grid, record breakers in the realm of youth motorsport and eloquent and engaging speakers away from the track.
Amna, 24, was the first Emirati and female racer to compete in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, and in 2019 became the first female Arab to win a single-seater race. Hamda, 21, made history by becoming the first woman to claim a podium in the notoriously tough Italian F4 Championship in 2021. In the same year, she finished fourth in F4 UAE.
They further enhanced their reputations on debut in F1 Academy – Hamda winning four races to claim third place in the 2023 drivers’ championship, and Amna finishing sixth with two wins.
Those results drew the attention of F1 giants Red Bull, who signed the sisters to their newly formed Red Bull Academy Programme.
As was the case last season, the duo are competing for MP Motorsport, but Amna is now running the Visa Cash App RB livery, while Hamda runs Red Bull Racing on their respective cars.
“An amazing feeling and an honour,” Hamda told The National at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
“A dream achievement,” added Amna. “It’s a manifestation that actually happened as I’ve got Red Bull merch in my room.”
A first outing in those gleaming new cars in the opening round of the 2024 F1 Academy season in Jeddah last month brought mixed results but plenty of optimism. Hamda claimed 12 points to sit eighth in the standings and Amna four, after a penalty, to lie 12th.
“It was a little tough; we took a risk in Jeddah with using one set of tyres and it didn't work out in qualifying,” explained Amna, who along with her sister has become an official ambassador for Yas Heat Racing.
“In race one I had an unlucky incident which cost me points. In race two, I kind of made that all up. I went up to P6 from P14 but unfortunately I got a penalty so I only had four points to come out with. But at least it was something.”
“The environment was amazing,” added Hamda. “It was good to be close to home. I would say in Jeddah, the track venue was also amazing. My second time on a street circuit and I really enjoyed it. It's the fastest street circuit in the world as well, so very technical.
“I think obviously the results did not reflect my potential, especially coming from last year. So, there's a lot of work to do there, but yeah, I only know it's upwards from here, so it's good for me.”
