Thani Al Qamzi will make his 110th career start in the UIM Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Powerboat Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the world race series taking place off the capital’s corniche on Thursday and Friday.
Lengthy career
The Emirati, pictured in action, has seven victories in a career spanning 14 years and carries the hopes of the home team along with compatriot Ahmed Al Hameli in the race that has drawn 16 other international drivers.
Shortened season
The series this year was reduced to five races following the cancellation of grands prix in Ukraine and Brazil because of the unrest in the country on the Black Sea and the elections in the South American nation. Al Qamzi’s chances of winning his first world title are remote even though 40 championship points are still up for grabs from the final two rounds in Abu Dhabi and next week in Sharjah.
Title on the line
Alex Carella, the Italian who races for Qatar, heads the points table on 40 with the Frenchman Philippe Chiappe, driving for CTIC China, on 30. Shaun Torrente, the American who is in the second Qatari boat is on 29, followed by the Swede Eri Stark (20), Francesco Cantando of Italy (16) and the Finn Sami Selio (15).
Aiming for a win
“Regardless of the world championship title, winning the two races would be the objective,” Al Qamzi said. “It is familiar territory for me and Ahmed to make best use of the knowledge. We have had intense and demanding training in recent weeks to prepare for this day. There are high expectations for us, God willing I achieve the maximum speed on Thursday and in the main race on Friday.”
Schedule
The two-day event starts on Thursday with a free practice session starting at 10.15am for an hour. That will be followed by qualifying from 3.30 to 4.30pm. There will be more practice at the same time on Friday morning. A parade is being organised at 3.15pm, which will serve as a precursor to the grand prix that will start 15 minutes later.
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