Uzbekistani driver Ismail Akhmedkhodjaev made his debut in the Dubai 24 Hour endurance race as part of the Rossa Racing team. The qualifying session for the main event was held on January 16, at the Dubai Autodrome to determine the starting grid. The 24-hour race, held annually since 2006, features nearly 70 participating teams.
Akhmedkhodjaev, 21, is joined by four other drivers on the Rossa Racing team: team captain Roman Rusinov, Amna Al Qubaisi, Viacheslav Gutak, and Evgeny Kireev. The team’s drivers will rotate during the 24-hour race, with the sequence determined by the team manager, engineer, and captain.
Team captain Roman Rusinov described qualifying as proceeding “according to plan,” noting that Akhmedkhodjaev experienced a minor spin on a fast lap but otherwise achieved a satisfactory performance. He emphasized that qualifying results are not critical in a 24-hour race, where completing the race without technical issues is the main objective. Rusinov indicated that the team aims to maintain stability and focus, which he considers decisive factors for achieving a strong overall result.
The team has been practicing on the Dubai Autodrome since early January, including nighttime sessions to simulate race conditions. Rusinov highlighted the challenges of managing traffic during the race, with more than 70 cars on the track simultaneously, which makes overtaking and avoiding accidents and technical problems essential.
For Akhmedkhodjaev, participation in the Dubai 24 Hour represents a first experience in endurance racing. He will drive the Rossa LM GT, a vehicle he described as unique, and emphasized the learning opportunities from working with the experienced members of the team, particularly captain Rusinov. Akhmedkhodjaev stated that his goals are to contribute to the team, improve his skills with each stint, and support the team’s overall performance.
The Dubai 24 Hour race was scheduled to feature continuous driving over a 24-hour period, testing both the vehicles and the endurance of the drivers, with the goal of completing the race in the best possible position while managing mechanical and strategic challenges.
