Dubai: Defending world champion Philippe Chiappe will have everything to fight for as he sets sight on yet another back-to-back crown before the 2016 UIM F1 H2O Championships turn towards the UAE.
CTIC China Team’s Chiappe, who was crowned world champion at last season’s finale in Sharjah by the narrowest of margins, has had an indifferent year so far.
He started off well by winning the Dubai Grand Prix before crashing out at the Evian Grand Prix in France. He came back strong to win the Portugal Grand Prix in Portimao before snatching a third spot on the podium in the first of two races on home waters of Harbin earlier in September.
Chiappe is now at the top of the standings with 52 points, making it utterly important for the Frenchman to do well in Liuzhou before heading to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the first half of December. “Hopefully, the bad luck is away from us as we go to get maximum points in our home Grand Prix,” Chiappe told Gulf News after a practice session of the Liuzhou GP on Saturday.
“There is no weak team in the championship. Every driver is a threat, and we have seen this most during the first four races this season,” he added.
Closest on his tail is Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente as the American driver keeps chase of a world title for his new set-up with 45 points. Torrente seems to be getting his rhythm with boat and skills after earning 21 points in the last two races.
“Maximum number of points is what we are after. No doubt, we will race safe to a point. But if it requires then we will be up to the challenge to ensure we can finish off the job right here in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah,” the Florida native promised.
The top two will, however, need to be wary of former champions Alex Carella, Sami Selio and Jonas Andersson — all who are within striking distance with 42 points, 35 points and 33 points respectively.
As many as 18 drivers from eleven nations will be in the fray for top honours on the River Liu for this weekend’s Liuzhou Grand Prix with the BRM Official Qualifying scheduled to be decided at 3pm (11am UAE) on Sunday followed by the main race at the same time on Monday.
