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The series moved to Abu Dhabi for
Rounds 3 and 4, which saw the
appearance of TCR Germany champion
Josh Files in a Lap57 Motorsport Honda
Civic and Davit Kajaia taking over
driving duties from Cerruti in the Alfa
Romeo. The pair fought throughout
Race 1, with Kajaia leading until Files
managed to overtake on lap 9 and so
the British driver took the victory
ahead of the Georgian. An impressive
third was Italian teenager Giacomo
Altoè, giving the Top-Run Racing
Subaru Impreza its first international
podium finish. Files had a much easier
time in Race 2, with the JAS
Motorsport-built Honda taking the lead
on the first lap; Files was then able to
take the maximum 55 points from the
event - 25 each for the two victories
and 5 for pole position in Qualifying.
Kajaia was second once again, while
Engstler was third to keep his title
hopes alive.
The Abu Dhabi results meant Files had
leapt into the title hunt as the series
headed to Bahrain for the final pair of
races. He demonstrated his ambition
for another TCR title with an emphatic
victory in Race 1 ahead of rivals Gdovic
and Engstler; the American snatching
second place from Engstler on the final
lap. Kajaia retired the Giulietta before
the start with a broken driveshaft, but
the rejuvenated Alfa Romeo then
battled for the lead in Race 2 until
forced to pull up with severe
understeer. Engstler also retired, which
meant the fight for the title became a
two-way affair. Another great start
meant Files led going into the first
corner and he then never looked back,
holding off the challenge from Gdovic
and Altoè to take yet another victory
and with it the TCR Middle East title.
Despite missing the first two rounds,
Files became the first driver to win two
different TCR titles, adding the Middle
East title to the German series crown
he won in 2016. Gdovic finished just
five points adrift of Files, while the
other high points from the series
included the improved performances of
both the Alfa Romeo and the Subaru
and some impressive results for the two
teenagers, Engstler and Altoè.
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