SHARJAH // His task might be an onerous one, but Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente has not given up hopes of edging two-time defending champion Philippe Chiappe in their battle for the 2016 UIM F1H2O World Champion crown when they go head-to-head in the seventh and final round of the series in Sharjah this weekend.
French veteran Chiappe, who is driving for the CTIC China F1 Team, leads the championship table with 82 points and needs only one point in Sharjah to retain his title and become only the third driver, after Guido Cappellini and Alex Carella, in the sport’s 33-year history to complete a trio of titles.
Chiappe, however, was adamant he will go all out to win the race instead of playing safe.
“I am not going to race for just one point,” Chiappe said. “For sure, I will race for victory.”
The Florida-based Torrente, who has finished in the top three in each of the past three seasons, is second in the drivers’ standing with 63 points, and for him to win, the Dubai-based driver not only has to win Friday’s Grand Prix of Sharjah on the picturesque Khalid Lagoon along Buhairah Corniche, but also hope Chiappe either fails to finish or finishes outside the points.
“We have worked all year to be in this position and we have an opportunity,” Torrente said at Wednesday’s press conference hosted by race organisers Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority at the Hilton hotel
Torrente has finished on the podium in Sharjah three times.
“So, no matter what people might think about the title race, as a driver you are here to win the race and end the season on a high,” Torrente said. “I know Chiappe has an advantage, but I still say anything is possible. This is motorsports and anything can happen.
“Secondly, I have had a lot of bad luck in the past five years. So, I think I have stored enough of good luck over this period to just go and win this weekend.”
This is only the second season for the Victory Team in the F1H2O World Championship. Torrente saluted his teammates for the effort they have put in over the season to put him in contention, ahead of far more experienced F1H2O teams.
“We are a new team and we are in a position to win the championship, which should not be underestimated,” he said. “So, irrespective of the outcome this weekend, I am so proud of what our team has done and achieved this year.”
Schedule
Thursday
• 9-10.20am: Free practice F4
• 9.30-9.50am: Time trials F4
• 10.15-11.15am: Free practice F1
• 2.30-2.50pm: F4 Race Day 1
• 3.30-4.30pm: F1 Qualifying
Friday
• 9.10-9.30am: Free Practice F4
• 9.40-10.00am: Time Trials F4
• 10.15-11.15am: Free Practice F1
• 2.30-2.50pm: F4 Race Day 2
• 3.45-4pm: F1 Parade Lap
• 4-5pm: Grand Prix of Sharjah F1 Race
• 5pm: Prize Giving Ceremony
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