Team Abu Dhabi gets their international powerboat racing programme underway at the inaugural Grand Prix of Dubai, round one of the 2016 UIM F1 H20 World Championship, at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) in Mina Seyahi this weekend.
Arriving in emirate as the defending UIM teams’ world champions, Team Abu Dhabi again boasts the prolific pairing of Thani Al Qamzi and former world champion Alex Carella for a second season of F1 H20 races. Drivers will tackle grands prix in Dubai, France, Portugal, China, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with the possibility of two additional races in Asia in the autumn.
This weekend marks the first time that Dubai has hosted a round of the UIM F1 H2O World Championship. The race has attracted a provisional 18 boats and drivers from 11 countries, including double world champion Philippe Chiappe of France, the host club’s Victory Team duo of Nadir bin Hendi and his American teammate Shaun Torrente and Finland’s Sami Selio.
Ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying, Al Qamzi said: “I know the importance of qualifying strongly to give us the best chance in the race. I am confident in my abilities and looking forward to getting started. This is a new race and a new venue, but I am well prepared.”
“We have been testing almost every day over the last few weeks in Abu Dhabi to make sure that everything is perfect for the start of the season,” added Carella, who has a new boat for the race and will be chasing a 12th career win. “We have really improved a lot and Thani and I are really positive for the new season. This year I think we are in a much stronger position. The boat is ready and the engine is perfect. We know it will not be easy. Our rivals will be the same. Sami Selio is always very fast, Philippe is the champion and Shaun is very quick. But, as a team, I feel we are the strongest one.”
Free practice for the F1 boats starts at 10.45am with the qualification session at 3.30pm. The inaugural Grand Prix of Dubai gets underway at the DIMC at 3.30pm tomorrow.
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