Team UAE drivers Sanad Al Rawahi and Piers Pakenham-Walsh finished sixth and ninth respectively on final day of the Rotax MAX Grand Finals in Portugal.

Al Rawahi started from 13th on the grid but was involved in first lap chaos, which saw him drop to near the back of the field of 34. But he recovered well and powered to sixth place for his best showing at a showpiece event.

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Meanwhile, Pakenham-Walsh recovered from 29th on the grid to claim a well-deserved ninth place as he battled off some of the world’s top drivers.

"The engine I had was not the fastest, but I gave it all I have and am very happy to be in the top ten. Big thanks to my family, my mechanic Tom Holland and Team UAE for a great effort. I am very, very happy,” said Pakenham-Walsh.

It was bitter disappointment for Luke Varley who never put a foot wrong all week in the DD2 class, winning two of his Heats and finishing second in the Pre-final.

In the final, starting from second on the grid he was swamped and overtaken by several drivers. Nevertheless he recovered well and started picking his way to the front, but while battling for third he tangled with a slower driver and was forced to retire from the race.

Hungarian driver Ferenc Kancsar won the race to claim the DD2 world title.

Both Team UAE drivers in the MAX Pre-final had a morning to forget as they were embroiled in battles that saw them drop down to the tail of the field with Tom Bale and Abdullah Al Rawahi finishing 20th and 26th.

However, they both fared better in the final with Bale crossing the line in 16th and Al Rawahi 21st, with Italian driver Alex Alex claiming the MAX world title.