Sharjah: Frenchman Philippe Chiappe will leave nothing to chance as he chases his first-ever world crown at this weekend’s Sharjah Grand Prix — the fifth and final round of the UIM F1 Powerboat World Championship.
The 51-year-old leads Qatar Team’s Alex Carella by just three points in the season-long standings, while second Qatari driver Shaun Torrente is also within striking distance of the title.
Chiappe is at the top on 50 points thanks to his two second-placed finishes and a win in Abu Dhabi last month, with three-time defending champion Carella on 47 and Torrente on 44.
“It’s going to be an all-out assault and nothing short of a win here will work for me. In addition, I need to be careful of the Qatari boats. I think I will be sticking to my strategy and that is to go out there and win the race,” Chiappe said.
“Sharjah is a special race and, like each race, there is going to be a certain amount of pressure on me to deliver and win as this race carries the world title along with it.
“It won’t be easy, but I just want to go ahead and win one more world championship title.”
Carella was relishing the defence of his race honours and the world title. “I really don’t have any choice, but just push for a win so that I can get another world title to my name,” he said.
“The most important element in the greater scheme of things will be winning the pole position on Thursday. I win that and I am 90 per cent assured of the race win and the world championship. It’s going to be an all-out assault as I really don’t have anything to lose.”
Torrente is equally motivated to ensure the world championship stays with the Doha outfit.
“I need to win and I need to have Alex [Carella] with me. Last month was good for me in Abu Dhabi and coming here we have to compete with each other and I need to be sure I am ahead of both [Chiappe and Carella] so that I can be the world champion,” he said.
Other drivers to look out for include Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team’s Sami Selio, Erik Stark of Team Nautica, Motorglass F1’s Francesco Cantando and the Abu Dhabi Team pair of Thani Al Qamzi and Ahmad Al Hameli.
The Sharjah Grand Prix was officially unveiled on Wednesday by Khalid Jasem Al Midfa, Director-General of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), in the presence of Nicolo di San Germano, F1 Promoter, and the top three drivers.
The race, which is run on Khalid Lagoon along the Buhairah Corniche, is held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
