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The Red Bull Air Race Committee has declared a Disqualification for pilot Martin Sonka following a post-race ruling when his raceplane was being inspected in Parc Fermé. It has been deemed that Red Bull Team Sonka made a technical infringement of the rules.

This ruling means the earlier third place result is now invalid and the team will now record a fourth place finish at the Abu Dhabi 2018 race, as a Disqualification can only be added to one flying session.  This will apply to his result in the Final 4.

In Qualifying for the 11th season opener of the Red Bull Air Race in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Friday, Matthias Dolderer of Germany appeared to be back in the form that won him the 2016 World Championship, topping his nearest competitor, Michael Goulian of the United States, by more than a half second. But look out: Reigning titleholder Yoshihide Muroya of Japan was closing in fast with the second of his two runs, and the racetrack over the Abu Dhabi Corniche forces even the favorites into penalties. Anything can happen when Race Day takes off on Saturday.

Abu Dhabi (UAE) – Defending World Champion Yoshihide Muroya (JPN) and 2017’s overall second-place pilot, Martin Šonka (CZE), fly over the new Louvre Abu Dhabi museum ahead of the 11th consecutive season opener of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in the Emirates capital.

Muroya and Šonka will renew their rivalry, along with an international field of the world’s best pilots, when Qualifying takes off above the famed Corniche on Friday, February 2, followed by Race Day on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

Photo: Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool

The rivalries of a fiercely contested 2017 World Championship will reignite on 2-3 February, as the Red Bull Air Race kicks off for the record 11th consecutive year in sizzling Abu Dhabi. New pilots, raceplane innovations and updated rules will only add fuel to the fire.

Abu Dhabi (UAE) – With glittering skyscrapers reflecting the Arabian Gulf, Abu Dhabi is home to one of the most dramatic skylines in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship – and the 2018 season promises thrilling action to match.

The competitors of the Red Bull Air Race are among the best aviators in the world – well trained and extremely experienced in multiple disciplines.

Yet even with that deep background, the pilots will tell you that they could always learn more. One critical part of the pilots' training and development, as with any motorsport, is making sure they are well prepared should the unexpected happen.