Sport | Other Sports
Abu Dhabi gets set for China GPs
Powerboating F1 Team Abu Dhabi have completed a week-long Italian testing and training session as part of their preparation for the upcoming GPs of China.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:53 September 22, 2008
- Emirati Ahmad Al Hameli amd Thani Al Qamzi in Action. The duo have been testing their boats in Italy ahead of GPs in China.
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
Abu Dhabi: Powerboating F1 Team Abu Dhabi have completed a week-long Italian testing and training session as part of their preparation for the upcoming GPs of China.
Drivers Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmad Al Hameli took part in the seven-day exercise following the season's four-month fixture break, and will be hoping it bears fruit when they come to contest rounds five and six of the eight-event UIM Powerboat World Championships .
Lead driver Al Qamzi, who suffered mechanical failures in all four 2008 rounds to date, says Italy afforded the team the opportunity to test their two available boats - a BABA powerboat and its DAC counterpart.
"My training in Italy has helped me evaluate both the powerboats and I'll pick the one which best suits my driving style and use that for the rest of the championship," he said.
"Facing hurdles during the past rounds does not discourage me from aiming for first in the final four races. On the contrary, it drives me to push myself to win the next rounds in China before we head to the UAE for the final two rounds."
In a stunning debut season, Al Qamzi's junior teammate, Al Hameli - the 2007 F1 UIM World Championship Rookie of the Year - is currently in third in the overall Drivers' Championship on 29 points.
'Huge responsibility'
"Thani and I carry a huge responsibility being the only UAE ambassadors in one of the world's most popular marine sports. We are constantly trying to push ourselves to be the best we can be," Al Hameli said.
"If we want to achieve the F1 Championship title we'll have to finish strongly in all the remaining races. After the test this week I feel that I have made several improvements to the boat and I'm excited about travelling to China straight after Eid."
F1 Team Abu Dhabi are currently fifth in the overall Team Championship on 28 points - 22 behind leaders, Jay Price's Team Qatar.
They will contest the first Chinese GP in Liuzhou on Octover 11 and 12.
Share this article
More from Other sports
More from Sport
Popular in Sport
-
Pictures
Famous female golfers
A look at some famous female golfers, teeing off with Annika Sorenstam
Sport Editor's choice
-
Disappointing to lose, says Federer
Missing the start cost him match at O2 Arena, Swiss master says
-
Sea Dubai surge to win yacht race
Team finish well ahead of the rest and kept best till last
-
Kanpur century catapults Gambhir
Opener's leap pushes Sri Lankan duo of Jayawardene and Sangakkara
