'We're a big family,' said Al Khalifa, who is among the favourites to win today's and tomorrow's final races of the series. 'My name signifies that I do have royal blood and that we can be traced back to all the grand factors of the royal family. We are all related in the family.'

Given his royal links and the fact that Bahrain hosts a round of the Formula One Championship, you would think Al Khalifa might have it made as he tries to realise his dream of racing at the top. Not so, says Al Khalifa, who is no more favoured than an up-and-coming young talent scrapping for sponsorship in the money-hungry sport.

'Motorsports in general is quite new in our region and being a member of the royal family doesn't give me any added advantages. I have the same difficulties looking for sponsorship. I guess I am lucky to get the support I am getting,' he said.

Al Khalifa, who was seventh quickest in qualifying yesterday, comes to Shanghai having taken two victories in Japan last month, opening up a 29-point championship lead over exciting BMW Junior and rookie, 21-year-old Michael Patrizi of Australia, who drives for Team Meritus.

Al Khalifa has shone this year, taking six victories so far, but the determined young Australian has put more than his fair share of ill luck behind him to get back in the championship picture. With 40 points up for grabs this weekend two other drivers are still in contention for the title.

Al Khalifa's fellow Bahraini driver, Hamed Al Fardan, 18, of Team Meritus, has notched up six podiums this season and is just one point behind Patrizi in the title chase. Al Fardan will sit in pole position for today's first race. Charlie-Ro Charlez, 19, also of Team Meritus and who is in his first ever season of car racing, has taken an impressive seven podiums this year and, although he would need to take victory in both races this weekend to win the title - making him an outside chance - he has already done enough to get himself noticed in this ultra-competitive sport.

'Mathematically, my rivals can still catch up with me but I am hoping for a good, clean race, hoping for no mechanical failures. If that doesn't happen, I am ready to bring back the championship home.

'This championship is the main vehicle that transported me from go-karting and the low level of racing to the developed stage.

'It's a springboard into the big league and I am very thankful to BMW Motorsport for bringing this to Asia because before we only had one [series] in Europe. It's gives us a chance to display our skills in a professional manner.

'The championship is not only for racing. We also got educational and coaching programmes, looking for sponsorship and media training, vehicle dynamics. They support you in every way possible.

'We got the track in Bahrain now. I never thought that was a possibility [of Bahrain producing a F1 driver] but after we got the track thanks to the crown prince, we got a shot now. It has become a reality,' said Al Khalifa.

Al Khalifa will be hoping to wrap up the series with victory, which will be worth US$20,000 to the series winner. He is just outside the age regulations to take the prize of a full free season in the Formula BMW UK championship in 2006.

Patrizi, Al Fardan and Charlez will be doing battle for the chance to make the next step to Europe.

And there is all to play for in the Rookie Cup Classification too with a US$50,000 scholarship and a full season of the education and coaching programme on offer for the winner. Patrizi currently leads Charlez in the standings by just nine points.

Theoretically, Indian sensation and BMW Junior Armaan Ebrahim, 16, of Team E-Rain, could also take the title by one point if he were to win both rounds and his two rivals were not to score points.