Sharjah: Victory Team pilot Shaun Torrente is definitely not prepared to throw in the towel heading into the Grand Prix of Sharjah — the seventh round of the 2016 UIM F1H2O World Championship taking place in Sharjah this weekend.
Held on the picturesque Khalid Lagoon along the Buhairah Corniche, the final round of the championship sees the Florida-based Torrente of the Dubai-based team trailing two-time defending champion Philippe Chiappe of the CTIC China F1 Team. The veteran French driver needs just one point to win a third, record-equalling world crown, while the Victory Team driver will need a first-place finish and, along with it, “loads of luck” to snatch the world title.
The race was officially announced by Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, F1H2O in the presence of the five top drivers in the standings.
After six rounds, Chiappe leads the drivers’ standings with 82 points, chased down by Torrente in second with 63 points, while last week’s Abu Dhabi champion Jonas Andersson is in third with 57 points followed by former three-time world champions Alex Carella and his mentor Guido Cappellini in fourth and fifth with identical tallies of 54 points.
“Honestly, I love this weekend. As a driver everyone is here to win the race and end the season on a high. I know Philippe [Chiappe] has an advantage, but I still say anything is possible. So for all of us, we are here to race as though there is no tomorrow,” Torrente told media.
“And secondly, I have had a lot of bad luck in the past five years. So I think I have stored enough of good luck over this period of time to just go and win the race this weekend,” he added.
Making their first foray into the UIM F1H2O World Championship, it has been an interesting season for Victory Team. “Irrelevant of the outcome this weekend, I am so proud of what our team has done and achieved this year. The results may not be reflected, but you can be sure we are here for the long run,” Torrente insisted.
“The good thing is that in the last three rounds the team has been getting in the groove and we are undertsnading what we need to do to win races. Team Abu Dhabi also has the budget, but it takes more than just a budget to win races, and we are glad to be together as a team,” he added.
Chiappe, who is poised to join Guido Cappellini and Alex Carella as three-time world title winners, considered the Grand Prix of Sharjah as a “very special event” for him. “I first started here 15 years back and this race has always been special,” Chiappe said.
“Even though I just need one point for a third World title, I doubt the Championship is over as yet. I am here to win the race,” he added.
After Thursday morning’s free practice, the boats will line up for the BRM Qualifying session from 3.30 to 4.30 pm. The Grand Prix of Sharjah will be held from 4 to 5 pm on Friday, followed by the prize presentation.
SCHEDULE
Thursday: (9-10.20 am) Free Practice F4; (9.30-9.50 am) Time Trials F4; (10.15-11.15 am) Free Practice F1; (2.30-2.50 pm) F4 Race Day 1; (3.30-4.30 pm: F1 BRM Qualifying.
Friday: (9.10-9.30 am) Free Practice F4; (9.40-10 am) Time Trials F4; (10.15-11.15 am) Free Practice F1; (2.30-2.50 pm) F4 Race Day 2; (3.45-4 pm) F1 Parade Lap; (4-5 pm) Grand Prix of Sharjah F1 Race; (5 pm) Prize Giving Ceremony.
Top five drivers’ standings at the end of the penultimate round of the 2016 UIM F1H2O World Championship at the Abu Dhabi breakwater on Friday: 1. Philippe Chiappe (CTIC F1 China Team – 82pts); 2. Shaun Torrente (Victory Team – 63); 3. Jonas Andersson (Team Sweden – 57); 4. Alex Carella (Team Abu Dhabi – 54); =4. Sami Selio (Mad-Croc Baba Racing – 54).
Teams standings at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 1. CTIC China Team (91pts); 2. Mad-Croc Baba Racing (76); 3. Victory Team (65); 4. Team Abu Dhabi (63); 5. Team Sweden (57); 6. Emirates Racing Team (48).
