El Alamein, Egypt: With another 80 points up for grabs, Qatar Team boss Shaikh Hassan Bin Jaber Al Thani believes the 2007 WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championship title is still open.
"Though the Victory Team boat may look to be the strongest among the favourites, nothing can still be said about the world title as there are four rounds yet to be contested," Shaikh Hassan told Gulf News after arriving for the Egyptian Grand Prix at this quiet Mediterranean resort.
"There are favourites no doubt, but if one is to be realistic about the chances of any one of the teams, then it can head in any direction," he reflected.
The two Qatar Team boats have been doing a remarkable job this season with podium visits for Qatar 96 in all four rounds held so far.
This has resulted in Shaikh Hassan and Matteo Nicolini perched second overall with 60 points in Qatar 96 followed by defending world champions Bjorn Gjelsten and Steve Curtis in Spirit of Norway. Debutant Aref Saif Al Zafein and Frenchman Jean-Marc Sanchez in Victory 77 lead the standings with 79 points midway through the season.
Victory 77, enjoying their best season in five years, ended a long title drought two months back in Constanta, Romania when they won the European crown, making it three wins out of four for this year.
As the team pursuing the leaders, Shaikh Hassan is well aware of the challenges ahead of him as they prepare for a hectic weekend here in El Alamein.
"The idea is to keep the momentum and ensure we visit the podium as much as possible so as to try and force the others to make mistakes," Shaikh Hassan said.
He felt that the weather will play a crucial role in the outcome of the fifth round, to be held on Saturday.
"The water is quite rough and that should be a deciding factor to this race," Shaikh Hassan said.