After claiming pole position for the second day in succession, Prince Abdulaziz led from start to finish and eventually won by 18 seconds to atone for his setback 24 hours earlier when the defending champion could only manage fourth place.

But the real drama unfolded behind him as Sheikh Salman survived a spin on the first corner, which dropped him to fifth position and eventually snatched second place from Abu Dhabi's Khaled Al Qubaisi in spectacular fashion on the final lap.

That was the climax of a breathtaking race-long battle for the podium places, which changed hands several times as Salman, Al Qubaisi, teenager Fahad Algosaibi and Saudi's Bandar Alesayi fought for every inch on the twisting Reem circuit.

After climbing from third to second place with a brilliant start, Al Qubaisi held on to that position until half way through the 18th and final lap when first Alesayi threatened to move past him before Sheikh Salman squeezed ahead of them both.

He now takes home a six-point lead over Prince Abdulaziz to carry into Rounds 7 and 8 at Bahrain International Circuit on Feb. 18-19.

1. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA) Al Faisal Racing Team       25:45.678

2. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)       26:03.750

3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE)       26:04.580

4. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)       26:04.711

5. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA)       26:04.926

6. Hamad Al Khalifa (BAH)       26:23.995

7. Musaed Al Murar (UAE)       26:26.505

8. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE)       26:36.538

9. Johannes Waimer (GER)       26:41.363

10. Bandar Alireza (KSA)       26:50.050

11. Alain Muraour (F)       26:09.995 (- 1 lap)
 

 
1. Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BAH)       110pts

2. Abdulaziz Al Faisal (KSA)    104pts

3. Khaled Al Qubaisi (UAE)       98pts

4. Fahad Algosaibi (KSA)       85pts

5. Bandar Alesayi (KSA)       80pts

6. Musaed Al Murar (UAE)       57pts

7. Ibrahim Salloum (UAE)       49pts

8. Johannes Waimer (GER)       37pts

9. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA)       27pts

11. Alain Muraour (F)         25pts
 

1. Johannes Waimer (GER)       110pts

2. Alain Muraour (F)       92pts

3. Fawaz Algosaibi (KSA) ClassicArabia Racing       74pts