Team Abu Dhabi’s Alex Carella and CTIC Shenzhen China Team’s Philippe Chiappe, both triple World Champions, go head-to-head in Friday’s Grand Prix of Sharjah to decide who joins American Scott Gillman in the UIM F1H2O World Championship Hall of Fame with four titles.
The stage is set for an epic contest on Khaled Lagoon after Chiappe’s win in Abu Dhabi last weekend cut Carella’s lead to 11 points. If Carella finishes in the top three, he is champion even if the Frenchman wins. If Chiappe, the 2014 winner here, finishes second, sixth place is enough for Carella.
If Chiappe finishes third, Carella would only need ninth to secure the two points required for his first title since 2013. A finish outside the top three for Chiappe would hand Carella the title regardless.
Recent F1H2O races have been nervy for everyone, though, and with 19 boats expected, at least eight drivers are capable of springing a surprise.
Teams’ title
The UIM Teams’ Championship is also at stake. Team Abu Dhabi arrives at Khaled Lagoon 33 points ahead of Team Sweden and 35 ahead of Chiappe’s Chinese team. Three points for Carella or Thani or Rashed Al-Qemzi would secure the title for the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC); both Al-Qemzis have played a vital role this season.
It’s going to a big fight, for sure, and I guess we are going to have to drive flat out to ensure we get the points to win the title. The team is ready, I am focused and I know that winning the championship for the fourth time is in my hands.
Alex Carella, 2013 Sharjah winner
The challengers
Others will be out to spoil the party. Victory Team’s Ahmed Al-Hameli (winner here in 2010 and 2011) and last year’s winner Shaun Torrente have nothing to lose and will go flat out for victory. Norway’s Marit Stromoy was in superb form at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater last weekend and won on Khaled Lagoon in 2015. Team Sweden’s Erik Stark can no longer win the title, and he and team-mate Jonas Andersson will push hard for the win.
Sami Selio has been advised on medical grounds to miss the race after two crashes in Abu Dhabi, but the Finnish double World Champion is determined to find a way to compete. Poland’s Bartek Marszalek and Grant Trask ran well in Abu Dhabi and could threaten the top five. A red card for alleged dangerous driving has sidelined Cédric Deguisne, while Matthew Palfreyman’s Spirit of Wales team is racing to repair a damaged Dragon boat so the Liverpudlian can make his first Grand Prix start.
Etihad Airways is Team Abu Dhabi’s official carrier, and the team runs under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, advisor to the Head of State and ADIMSC chairman, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nahyan, ADIMSC Vice-President and CEO, under ADIMSC board member and general manager Salem Al-Remeithi and team manager Guido Cappellini.
F4-S Trophy
Team Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Mehairbi is third in the UIM F4-S Trophy, 18 points behind series leader Mansoor Al-Mansoori of Victory Team. With two races this weekend and 40 points available, the Emirati hopes to keep his title hopes alive after Thursday’s first race. France’s Jeremy Brisset trails Al-Mansoori by two points, and 16-year-old Australian Louise Vella can still win from fourth.
Schedule
On-water action, organised by the UAE Marine Sports Federation on the 2.057km course, starts with free practice on Khaled Lagoon from 15.00hrs on Wednesday. F4-S practice and timed trials precede official F1 practice on Thursday morning, with BRM qualifying from 15.30hrs after the first F4-S race (14.30hrs).
Friday morning brings more F4-S practice and timed trials, a second F1 practice and the final F4-S race at 14.30hrs, before the 2017 Grand Prix of Sharjah starts at 16.00hrs.