Sharjah โ Swede Jonas Andersson, the reigning UIM F1H2O World Champion, won the first race of the Sharjah Grand Prix on Friday to strengthen his chances of retaining the UIM F1H20 title. The win moved him just three points behind Team Abu Dhabi's Shaun Torrent, who suffered from electrical problems and poor engine performance and finished in sixth place in the race at Khalid Lagoon.
After completing 38 rounds and 78km in the Khalid Lagoon, Finn Sami Selio came second, finishing 8.5sec behind the Swede, while Pole Bartek Marszalek secured third place.
The Abu Dhabi team took a significant hit, especially with Thani Al Qemzi, who started the race in ninth position, securing seventh place, which dropped his world ranking to third with his 59 points, behind Andersson, who secured 66 points. , while Torrente is the leader with 69 points.
have the drive
Andersson's start-to-finish win from pole position may have given him momentum, but two-time world champion Torrente will be looking to bounce back in what promises an exciting finale to the 2022 championship on Sunday.
The race is organized by the Sharjah Tourism and Trade Development Authority (SCTDA), under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Lieutenant Governor of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, with the participation of 18 runners from around the world.
Shaun Torrente suffered mechanical problems during the first round and finished sixth over the distance at Khalid Lagoon.
Image Credit: Supplied
Despite finishing in seventh place following his own mechanical difficulties in qualifying, Abu Dhabi team veteran Thani Al Qemzi still has a chance to claim a first world title, sitting third in the standings, seven points behind Anderson.
Uncertainties of elite world championship powerboat racing and a history of unpredictable season conclusions in Sharjah mean the title is still up for grabs, and the Emiratis certainly cannot be ruled out.
previous meetings
Torrente won't need to remember that in 2019 in Sharjah, he wrested the world title from Andersson, moving into second behind the Swede on the last lap to beat him in a championship countdown.
With a fifth consecutive world team title already secured, the two Team Abu Dhabi teammates will do everything they can to clinch pole position on Sunday, looking for a crucial advantage to reach the final round of the championship, the Oriente Grand Prix. Medium. , three hours later.
Torrente's electrical problems on Friday allowed Sharjah Team's Sami Selio, Bartek Marszalek of Poland, Alec Weckstrom of Finland and Alberto Comparato of Italy to leapfrog him at a time when second place seemed a certainty for the 2018 world champion and 2019.
Until that late drama, the American seemed in control of second place, and what would have been a 13-point lead in the championship to carry on into Sunday. It all adds up to another riveting power struggle on Sunday afternoon around the spectacular 2,057m Sharjah circuit between the two drivers who have dominated the last three F1H2O championships and the Emirati star who has been trying to win the world crown for 20 years. .
Sharjah Grand Prix leading positions
3. Bartek Marszalek + 23.90
4. Alec Weckstrom + 31.97
5. Alberto Comparato + 35.63
6. Shaun Torrente +43.28
7. Thani Al Qemzi + 45.43
8. Philippe Chiappe + 1 Lap
2022 UIM F1H2O World Championship Leading Positions
1. Shaun Torrente (UAE) 69pts
2. Jonas Andersson (SUE) 66 points
3. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) 59 points
4. Alec Weckstrom (FIN) 39 points
5. Ferdinand Zandbergen (NED) 34 points
6. Peter Morin (FRA) 21 points
Swedish Jonas Andersson winner of
Road to Sharjah Sharjah Grand Prix
Sharjah, December 16, 2022
