Ahmed Al Hameli runs third behind winner Chiappe in UIM F1 H2O Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Team Abu Dhabi’s Ahmed Al Hameli ran third and Thani Al Qamzi ninth. Vittorio Ubertone / Idea Marketing

ABU DHABI // Ahmed Al Hameli of Team Abu Dhabi finished third behind Frenchman Philippe Chiappe of Team CTIC China and the Qatar Team’s Shaun Torrente in Friday’s UIM F1 H2O Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

Chiappe claimed the first pole position of his career on Thursday and fended off a fierce challenge from Torrente throughout the 37-lap race.

The pair pulled clear of the chasing pack and Al Hameli was the leader of that group throughout to record the best result of the season for Team Abu Dhabi.

The Emirati passed Erik Stark early in the race to move up from fourth.

Thani Al Qamzi began the race from 14th and moved through the tail-enders to seal ninth position in the second Team Abu Dhabi boat.

“The dream was to take a home win for Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa and my team, but we are happy with a podium finish against such strong opposition,” Al Hameli said.

In the 20-lap UIM F-4S Trophy, Mohammed Al Mehairbi and Rashid Al Remeithi finished eighth and ninth.

Australian Briney Rigby won her second race in as many days and maintains an outside chance of beating Germany’s Mike Szymura to the 2014 title.

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