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UAE’S KHALIFA AL-MUTAIWE​I RECEIVES FIA WORLD CUP AWARD AT GLITZY CEREMONY IN ISTANBUL

• Categoria: Todo o terreno internacional

Dubai’s Khalifa Al-Mutaiwei received his FIA award for claiming a stunning victory in the 2012 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies in Istanbul on Friday night.

 The Fazza Rally Team star and his German co-driver Andreas Schulz attended the FIA’s flagship prize giving gala dinner, held at the Ciragan Palace (the most prestigious venue on the Bosphorus), and received their awards alongside the cream of other world motor sport winners.

 Al-Mutaiwei returned to the sport of cross-country rallying last season after a near eight-year absence and won the FIA World Cup title that he had also claimed in 2004. Co-driver Schulz claimed the co-drivers’ title for the third successive season.

The evening was hosted by the FIA in the presence of FIA President Jean Todt and motor sporting representatives from virtually every country in the world. Germany’s Sebastian Vettel also received his Formula One Drivers’ Championship award and Frenchman Sébastien Loeb was presented with his ninth FIA World Rally Championship title.

The prizegiving dinner was held in conjunction with the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council meeting where 2013 calendars were finalised and numerous rules and regulations were ratified.

"I take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations and blessings to my father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Board Chairman of Dubai Sports Council. Without their support this would not have been possible,” said Al-Mutaiwei.

Press: Neil Perkins