Reema Juffali secured back-to-back victories in her maiden International GT Open weekend by making a final lap pass in Race Two at the Circuito do Estoril.
In the #18 SPS Automotive-run Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, Reema’s team-mate, Adam Christodoulou, qualified third overall for the second race of the 2022 season.
He completed the first stint in the 60-minute race and after maintaining third in the opening stages, handed the cockpit to Reema with 24 minutes remaining.
By opting to utilise the overcut strategy, Reema joined the race in second overall and was in hot pursuit of the #73 Kessel Racing Ferrari 488 of Roman Ziemian.
Six minutes from the chequered flag, Reema encountered lapped traffic and ran wide through Turn Four as a result, slipping to fourth overall while still maintaining second in class.
In a clinical run to the line, however, she successfully turned a 2.2-second disadvantage into the Pro-Am lead by overtaking an out-of-control Ziemian on the final lap.
When the chequered flag waved, Reema secured a second consecutive Pro-Am win and finished third overall to complete her debut International GT Open weekend with a pair of podiums.
Reema Juffali
“What an epic race! It had every high and every low, the pressure was immense and I’m extremely happy with the end result. When I was battling for the Pro-Am lead, I had to avoid a slower car in front of me and when I went into the gravel, my heart stopped. I thought that our race was over. When I rejoined we were still second in class, I could see the leading car and I drove with laser focus. On the final lap, Roman [Ziemian] spun in front of me which was definitely too close for comfort but I was able to avoid him to take the win and finish on the overall podium. It’s been a big weekend for me and I feel like I have progressed throughout. I’m already looking forward to Paul Ricard and I feel like it’s going to be a good season!”
The 2022 International GT Open season will continue at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, on 21-22 May.
