Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) has already provided the stage for two world championship powerboat racing titles to be decided in the last month, and a third could follow in the UAE capital this weekend.

Taking place under the patronage of Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and Chairman of ADIMSC, Friday’s Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, the penultimate round of the 2015 UIM F1 H2O World Championship, rounds off a classic season of spectacular powerboat action at the host club.

A month ago, Gary Ballough and John Tomlinson wrote their names into the history books by claiming a first UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship title on home waters for Team Abu Dhabi, which is supported by Etihad Airways as the official carrier and sponsor, and by Marina Mall.

Three weeks later, teammates Rashid Al Tayer and Faleh Al Mansouri made a bold attempt to deliver a second world title to ADIMSC, ultimately settling for second place overall on their first attempt at the UIM XCAT World Series as the championship concluded in Abu Dhabi.

With the current season already going down as Team Abu Dhabi’s most successful to date, Thani Al Qamzi and Alex Carella will be looking to make it an even better one this weekend and in the process ensure that the crowning of the 2015 F1 champion is at least delayed until the final round in Sharjah on Friday week.

They are two of nine drivers who can mathematically still snatch the F1 crown and both will be going all out to win what promises to be an epic race.

“We are very satisfied with the achievements of Team Abu Dhabi this season and feel the foundations have been laid for much more success in the years ahead,” said Salem Al Rumaithi, assistant director-general of Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.

“As event hosts, we take great pride and satisfaction in welcoming the world’s leading powerboat racing teams, and officials, to Abu Dhabi, and we look forward to another exciting race weekend which can only enhance the emirate’s reputation as a world-class venue for watersport.”

Last year’s Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi winner, Frenchman Philippe Chiappe, returns to ADIMSC within reach of the F1 world title, holding a 16-point advantage over the Victory Team’s Shaun Torrente, with Kuwait’s Yousuf Al Rubayan in third, a further three points behind.

Having finished second to Chiappe last time out in China, Al Qamzi is currently 35 points behind him, with three-time world champion Carella another point away and eyeing a fourth win in Abu Dhabi.

With 40 points available for winning the last two rounds and 19 F1 challengers fighting it out this weekend, neither has yet thrown in the towel.

Team Abu Dhabi have ensured that the Emirati and his Italian teammate go into action this weekend with the best chance that one of them could snatch a win. The pair have been practising hard at ADIMSC in recent weeks under the guidance of racing manager and nine-time world champion, Guido Cappellini.

While Germany’s Mike Szymura looks in complete control in the UIM F-4S Trophy title race, arriving in Abu Dhabi with a 27-point lead after four race victories this season, Team Abu Dhabi’s Mohammad Al Mehairbi and Rashid Al Qamzi are eager to perform well on home waters this weekend.

Teams will be permitted to carry out a couple of hours of free practice on Wednesday afternoon after registration and technical scrutineering. But the meat of the on-course action starts on Thursday morning.

F-4S free practice and time trials start at 9.10am and will be followed by free practice for the F1 protagonists from 10.15am. The first of the weekend’s two F-4S races fires into life at 2pm and is followed by the crucial F1 qualifying from 3.30pm.

Further F-4S free practice, time trials and F1 practice are on the agenda for Friday morning at similar times and precede the second of the 20-minute F-4S races, starting at 2pm. The 24th Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi takes centre stage from 3.30pm on Friday.