SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates - December 15, 2011 - Mat Palfreyman made another electric start to leave his seven rivals gazing at his rooster. The British Team Atlantic pilot led the pack by a sizable margin after one lap but his arch rival, Team Sweden's Bimba Sjoholm was soon eating into Palfreyman's lead and around the halfway stage, Mat was facing a two prong attack by Sjoholm and Qatar's Khaled Al Shamlen.

However when the Qatari driver started to meet back markers he was forced to take the long way round and dropped back. Meanwhile Sjoholm made a concerted effort to catch Palfreyman but was several boat lengths behind at the chequered flag.

Bimba faces an uphill task in tomorrows race as unless the British driver breaks or crashes he only has to finish in the top five to be crowned 2011 F4S champion even if the Swedish girl wins.