Dubai: The teams and drivers participating in the UIM/WPPA Class One World Powerboat Championships are planning to perform an ‘honour lap' at Mina Seyahi on Saturday in memory of the two Victory Team pilots who were killed in Friday's horrific accident.

Marco Sala, Secretary General, International Offshore Teams Association (IOTA), told Gulf News that all team drivers were contemplating going out on the waters one last time this season with their boat canopies open to mark the traggic deaths of Victory pilots Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez.

"But they would want to do it their way, in a more private manner," Sala said.

"This is their idea and what they want to do. I suppose we will know something concrete only tomorrow morning."

Commenting on Friday's accident the IOTA official acknowledged that it was one of the most horrific accidents that the sport has witnessed in a long time. "Without a doubt, this is the worst accident I have seen in the sport for the past 20 years," Sala said.

"I've known Jean-Marc from the time he started in Class One racing, and that was way back in 1993 when he was a mechanic with Edoardo Polli.

"The time was wrong for them today. This is a very sad day for me as I have lost a friend and it was such an unlucky accident for our sport," he added.

Members of the world champion Victory Team were also in shock and grief yesterday. Personnel from the technical team were openly seen weeping and consoling each other in the dry pit area at the DIMC.

"I just can't believe that they are no longer with us," said a tearful member of the Dubai-based team who requested not to be named.

"It was so much fun working with them and we will miss them so much," added another team member.

The Victory boat flipped and crashed during the race and a rescue boat brought them on to the pontoons close to the DIMC dry pit area where medical personnel performer CPR. When both were not responding they were air-lifted to the Rashid Hospital where doctors pronounced them dead.

Sanchez is survived by his wife Sarah. Both families requested privacy to mourn their dear departed.